1778. THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 393 



direction as those more westerly ; so that the extent 

 of the low land between the foot of the mountains 

 and the sea-coast insensibly increased. Both high 

 and low-grounds were perfectly destitute of wood, 

 but seemed to be covered with green turf, except the 

 mountains, which were covered with snow. Con- 

 tinuing to steer along the coast with a gentle breeze 

 westerly, the water gradually shoaled from fifteen to 

 ten fathoms, though we were at the distance of eight 

 or ten miles from the shore. At eight in the even- 

 ing, an elevated mountain, which had been in sight 

 for some time, bore south-east by east, twenty-one 

 leagues distant. Some other mountains, belonging 

 to the same chain, and much farther distant, bore 

 east 3 north. The coast extended as far as north-east 

 half north, where it seemed to terminate in a point, 

 beyond which we hoped and expected that it would 

 take a more easterly direction. But soon after, we 

 discovered low land extending from behind this 

 point, as far as north-west by west, where it was lost 

 in the horizon ; and behind it was high land, that ap- 

 peared in detached hills. 



Thus the fine prospect we had of getting to the 

 north, vanished in a moment. I stood on till nine 

 o'clock, for so long it was light, and then the point 

 above mentioned bore north-east half east, about 

 three miles distant. Behind this point is a river, the 

 entrance of which seemed to be a mile broad ; but I 

 can say nothing as to its depth. The water appeared 

 discoloured, as upon shoals, but a calm would have 

 given it the same aspect. It seemed to have a wind- 

 ing direction, through the great flat that lies be- 

 tween the chain of mountains to the south-east and 

 the hills to the north-west. It must abound with 

 salmon, as we saw many leaping in the sea before 

 the entrance ; and some were found in the maws 

 of cod which we had caught. The entrance of this 

 river, distinguished by the name of Bristol River, 

 lies in the latitude of 58 27', and in the longitude of 

 '201 55' . 



