284 FIRST FRESH RUNNING STREAM. [May, 



During the examination of some of these irregularities 

 on one of the upper levels, by the aid of axes, etc., the 

 water was detected running in a pretty smart current 

 beneath, and, on tasting, proved to be sufficiently fresh 

 for washing purposes, thus affording to our crews a very 

 unexpected treat : at one spot we found also pure, 

 fresh, lively aerated water, the first we had noticed since 

 the previous August. To explain the importance of such 

 a discovery, it will be merely necessary to observe, that 

 all our water obtained hitherto involved an expense of 

 fuel, by thawing snow, and therefore it was a most pre- 

 cious commodity. It had been our general practice, as 

 far as saving of fuel would permit, to warm sufficient 

 water daily to afford some kind of ablution, more parti- 

 cularly to the cook, and this was found very materially 

 to refresh and invigorate the crew, as well as to conduce 

 to their general health. Washing and drinking therefore 

 became the fashion at this " watering-place," and in these 

 excesses they were suffered to indulge during our deten- 

 tion, much to their improvement in general health and 

 comfort, as well as in personal appearance. 



Leaving our hands thus engaged, and pitching the 

 tents, I commenced a stroll up the mountain immedi- 

 ately overlooking. 



It is curious at times to reflect how this habit of 

 strolling, and without any sensation of fatigue after a hard 

 day's travel, finds one unconsciously, and I might say 

 injudiciously, perched high above his friends, unprepared 

 and unarmed for offence or defence. I had in this man- 

 ner reached a commanding elevation of fourteen hundred 

 feet, affording a magnificent view of most of* my well- 

 known objects in Wellington Channel ; Cape Majendie, 



