CARRIER-PIGEONS. ESQUIMAUX. 



quently exposed to the perilous nips, which are some- 

 times productive of such dire consequences. At this 

 point in the voyage it was deemed advisable to test the 

 powers of some carrier-pigeons with which they had 

 been provided ; but the poor birds refused to take the 

 long flight to England, and resolutely persisted in 

 returning to the ship again, after a short survey of the 

 icy region in which they were let loose. 



During the passage of the middle-ice, a large quantity 

 of provisions had been got up on deck, to be ready in 

 case an unfortunate crush should sink the vessel. This 

 was now re-stowed in the hold, on getting into the 

 comparatively clear western waters of Baffin's Bay. 



One evening about this time, while they were sailing 

 quietly among beautiful and fantastically formed frag- 

 ments of ice, which obliged them frequently to deviate 

 a little from their course, a shout was heard ringing 

 through the calm, still atmosphere, and very soon four 

 Esquimaux paddled out to them in their seal-skin kayaks. 

 They speedily clambered on board, and one of the crew 

 happening to have some slight knowledge of English, a 

 vigorous flow of query and reply commenced, in the 

 course of which inucll useful informal ion as to the 

 nature of the coast and inlets was obtained. One, 

 especially, proved to be an expert draftsman, and by 

 means of a bit of chalk drew on the deck the outlines 

 of various parts of the coast, which were of some service. 



The progress of the vessel was now much interrupted 

 by ice and contrary gales. All attempts to reach Cape 

 Riley, and, subsequently, to enter Leopold Harbor, 

 were completely frustrated. Far as the eye could reach 

 down the west side of Prince Regent's Inlet, which 

 was to be the scene of their searching operations, - 

 huge barriers of ice met the view. The voyagera 

 pished boldly in amongst it, however, aud succeeded, 



