OF THE POLAR SEA. 



379 



shore until forty minutes after eight A.M., when we encamped in a 

 small cove. We found a single log of drift wood; it was pine, and 

 sufficiently large to enable us to cook a portion of the bear, which 

 had a slight fishy taste, but was deemed very palatable. 



August 10. — We followed up the east border of the inlet about 

 twenty-four miles, and at length emerged into the open sea; a 

 body of islands to the westward concealing the channel by which 

 we had entered. Here our progress was arrested by returning bad 

 weather. We killed a bear and its young cub of this year, on the 

 beach near to our encampment. We heartily congratulated our- 

 selves at having arrived at the eastern entrance of this inlet, 

 which had cost us nine invaluable days in exploring. It contains 

 several secure harbours, especially near the mouth of Back's Kiver, 

 where there is a sandy bottom in forty fathoms. There also fish 

 are plentiful, and rein-deer and musk-oxen may be procured at this 

 season, by spending a little time in hunting. 



On the 3d and 4th of August we observed a fall of more than two 

 feet in the water during the night. There are various irregular and 

 partial currents in the inlet, which may be attributed ta the wind. 

 I have distinguished it by the name of Bathurst's Inlet, in honour of 

 the noble Secretary of State, under whose orders I had the honour to 

 act. It runs about seventy-six miles south-east from Cape Everitt, 

 but in coasting its shores we went about one hundred and seventy- 

 four geographical miles. It is remarkable that none of the Indians 

 with whom we had spoken had mentioned this inlet ; and we sub- 

 sequently learned, that in their journeys they strike across from 

 the mouth of one river to the mouth of another, without tracin 

 the intermediate line of coast. 



August 11 Embarking at iive A.M., we rounded Point Everitt, 



and then encountered a strong breeze and heavy swell, which by 

 causing the canoes to pitch very much, greatly impeded our pro- 

 gress. Some deer being seen grazing in a valley near the beach, 



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