228 BACK'S LAND EXPEDITION. 



plains of the East, rather than on the shores of the 

 Arctic Sea." 



With unflinching ardor did Back push forward, in the 

 hope of reaching a more open sea, and connecting their 

 discoveries with those of Captain Franklin at Point 

 Turnagain. On the 1th of August they reached the 

 extreme point of land which terminates the wide mouth 

 of the river, and whence the coast trends to the west- 

 ward. This was named Point Ogle, and another cape, 

 seen far to the west, was named Point Richardson. 

 Several portions of the coast of Boothia Felix were also 

 seen in the distance to the northward. Here they were 

 completely baffled in every attempt to advance. Back 

 sent, however, a small party to the westward to trace 

 the coast, which was all that could be done ; but they 

 were only able to follow the shore about fifteen miles, 

 The surface was level, and void of vegetation. They 

 found, however, several pieces of drift-wood, one of 

 which was nine feet long and nine inches in diameter, 

 which the men jocularly called " a piece of the north 

 pole." 



Back now resolved to retrace his steps. Before 

 doing so, however, the British flag was unfurled, and 

 the land taken possession of, with three enthusiastic 

 cheers, in the name of His Majesty William IV. The 

 latitude of the place was 68 13' 57" N., longitude 94 6 

 58' I" W. 



In the middle of August they left the cold precincts 

 of the Arctic Sea. In retracing his route Back ascended 

 the high grounds which divide the northern from the 

 southern streams. The Aylmer, the Artillery, and the 

 Clinton Golden Lakes embellish the landscape, and 

 discharge their waters into the Great Slave Lake. 

 Here he found a splendid cascade, of which he says : 

 " The color of the water varied from a very light to a 



