418 M'CLURE'S EXPLORATIONS. 



The travellers encamped that night on Cape Lord John 

 Russell, and cheered lustily as they reached the shores 

 of Barrow's Strait. A mimic bonfire, of a broken 

 sledge and dwarf willow, was lighted by the seamen 

 in celebration of the event. 



The question of a north-west passage was now placed 

 beyond all doubt. From the point in Barrow's Strait 

 upon which they were looking- -a point opposite to 

 Cape Hay, in Melville Island- - Parry had sailed into 

 Baffin's Bay and home. The existence, therefore, of a 

 water communication round the north coast of America 

 was finally demonstrated. They had not found any 

 trace of Franklin ; but they had done the next best 

 thing, and enough for M'Clure's fame. 



The rapid fall of temperature now warned M'Clure 

 that he should return without delay to the ship. From 

 Point Lord John Russell, the coast of Banks's Land 

 was seen to trend away to the westward, and increase 

 in boldness of outline and altitude. Much vegetation, 

 for this latitude, was observed, and numerous traces of 

 animals, such as the deer, hare, and ptarmigan, as well 

 as of the fox and wolf; but no animal was seen. A 

 large cairn was constructed, a due record of the visit 

 of the party placed therein, and then, in the teeth of a 

 south-east gale, they commenced their return to the 

 Investigator. 



M'Clure came near perishing in trying to get back 

 On the 30th of October, at two P. M., having seen the 

 Princess Royal Isles, and knowing the position of the 

 ship from them, he left his sledge, with the intention of 

 pushing for the ship, and having a warm meal ready for 

 his men on their arrival. When still six miles from the 

 ship the night overtook him ; and with it came a dense 

 mist, accompanied with snow-drift, which rolled down 

 the strait, and obscured every object. Unable to see 



