198 ROSS'S SECOND VOYAGE. 



a great sea lying to the westward, and of a strait which 

 it was hoped might lead into it. On the 5th of April, 

 therefore, when the rigor of winter had somewhat 

 abated, Commander Ross, with Mr. Blanky, the chief 

 mate, and two native guides, undertook an expedition 

 to explore it. The weather being still very inclement, 

 they were frequently obliged to pause and seek refuge 

 from the drift, when the Esquimaux in half an hour 

 erected snow huts, which afforded tolerable shelter. 

 Unluckily the fire necessary for heat and light, melting 

 the walls of this frail tenement, enveloped them in 

 moisture, to avoid which they were obliged to creep into 

 their fur bags. 



After a difficult journey of three days, they reached a 

 bay facing the westward, and, on proceeding a short dis- 

 tance inland to the south and south-east, discovered a 

 very extensive lake, called by the natives Nei-tyel-le, 

 whence a broad river flowed into the bay. On their 

 return to the coast, the guides pointed out a lofty cape, 

 beyond which there was said to be a vast sea, the termi- 

 nation of which could not be descried. They declared, 

 however, that a tract of land, or isthmus, connecting the 

 territory on which they stood with the continent of 

 America, would render it impossible for the vessel to 

 reach the western sea in this direction, or otherwise 

 than by a channel considerably north of her present 

 station. 



The journey so far had issued only in disappointment. 

 They learned that, on the coast nearest them, facing 

 the eastward, there was a place called Shagavoke, where 

 the water rushed through a narrow strait with extraor- 

 dinary rapidity. Hence arose hopes that this tide 

 might come from the opposite sea, and afford a channel 

 through which the ship could be worked. But, on 

 examination, this idea proved fallacious, and every idea 



