﻿1848. FOEMER VISIT TO SAME SPOT. 225 



In performing these duties at this place, I could 

 not but recall to mind the evening of July 3rd, 

 1826, passed on the very same spot in company with 

 Sir John Franklin, Sir George Back, and Lieutenant 

 Kendall. AVe were then full of joyous anticipation 

 of the discoveries that lay in our several paths, 

 and our crews were elated with the hope of making 

 their fortunes by the parliamentary reward pro- 

 mised to those who should navigate the Arctic Seas 

 up to certain meridians. When we pushed off 

 from the beach on the morning of the 4th to follow 

 our separate routes, we cheered each other with 

 hearty good will and no misgivings. Sir John's 

 voyage fell some miles short of the parliamentary 

 distance, and he made no claim. My party accom- 

 plished the whole space between the assigned me- 

 ridians ; but the authorities decided that the reward 

 was not meant for boats, but for ships. Neither 

 men nor officers made their fortunes ; and, what I 

 more regretted, my friend and companion, Lieu- 

 tenant Kendall, remained in that rank till the day 

 of his death, notwithstanding his subsequent im- 

 portant scientific services. On the present occa- 

 sion, I endeavoured to stimulate our crews to an 

 active look-out by promising ten pounds to the first 

 man who should announce the Discovery ships. 



Most of the islands constituting the delta of the 

 Mackenzie are alluvial, and many of the smaller 



VOL, I. Q 



