329 



CHAPTER XIII. 



Open Water. Despatch from Kichards. Notice left by M'Clure. 

 Stores covered with Snow. Brewing. Mustard and Cress. Re- 

 turn of Richards. Movements of Western Division. Game killed. 

 Canal completed. Cairn on Barrow Island. Osbom rejoins. 

 Mount Acland. Assistance Spit. Visit of Pullen. Port Refuge. 



THE great surfaces of open water which I had observed 

 to the northward, added to rumours of the appearance 

 of a similar inclination in the vicinity of the ship, ren- 

 dered me very anxious to be present, in order to super- 

 intend in person any measures which might be expedient 

 for the relief of the southern parties, which might be ex- 

 pected about the 13th of July ; but I was much relieved, 

 on arriving at Village Point, to find, by the open water 

 there, that these matters had been very much overrated, 

 and that nearly the same area of water remained as no- 

 ticed on the 2nd of May ; at which date also the ice had 

 manifested similar symptoms off the southern end of the 

 sound, towards Spit Island. 



The passage of the Queen's Channel has doubtless 

 been in a similar condition for some time, and attended 

 with danger ; but before the period arrives for the final 

 crossing of our party, they will be aided by open water 



