160 PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES. Chap. X. 



with wilful impetuosity, through the narrow channel ; some 

 of them were so large as to ground even in 6 or 7 fathoms 

 water. Many were drawn into the eddies, and, acquiring 

 considerable velocity in a contrary direction, suddenly broke 

 bounds, charging out into the stream and entering into 

 mighty conflict with their fellows. After such a frolic the 

 masses would revolve peaceably or unite with the pack, and 

 await quietly their certain dissolution ; may the day of that 

 wished-for dissolution be near at hand ! Nothing but strong 

 hope of success induced me to encounter such dangerous 

 opposition. I not only hoped, but almost felt, that we 

 deserved to succeed. 



Two plans were now occupying my thoughts, both of 

 them resulting from the conviction that we should probably 

 be compelled to winter to the eastward of Bellot Strait : the 

 most important of these plans is that of finding some series 

 of valleys, chain of lakes, or continuous low land, practicable 

 as an overland sledge-route to the western coast, along 

 which we may transport depots of provisions this autumn ; 

 for it is certain that the strong tides will prevent Bellot 

 Strait being frozen over till winter is far advanced, and its 

 surface will afford us no means of passing westward with our 

 sledges. 



The other plan, and that which we are now about to exe- 

 cute — whilst the sea continues navigable — is to land a small 

 depot of provisions 60 or 70 miles to the southward, and 

 down Prince Regent's Inlet, in order to facilitate communi- 

 cation with the Boothian Esquimaux either this autumn or 

 in early spring. 



And this precautionary step seems the more necessary, as 

 I do not think it prudent to trust altogether to the yet 

 undiscovered west coast of Boothia for a sledge-route towards 

 King William's Island. Therefore quitting " Fox's Hole," 

 and resting for one night in Depot Bay, we sailed from 



