Sept. 1858. BOAT EX PL OR A TION. 165 



CHAPTER XI. 



Proceed westward in a boat — Unpromising state of the western sea — 

 Struggles in Bellot Strait — Falcons, good arctic fare — The re- 

 sources of Boothia Felix — Future sledge travelling — Heavy gales 

 — Hobson's party start — Winter quarters — Bellot Strait — Ad- 

 vanced depot established — Observatories — Intense cold — Autumn 

 travellers — Ravens — Narrow escape — Wolves. 



Being most anxious to know the real state of the ice in the 

 western sea — upon which our hopes so entirely depend — I 

 intend starting this evening by boat, as far through Bellot 

 Strait as the ice will permit, then land and ascend the hills 

 overlooking the western coast. 



1st Sept. — My boat party consisted of four men and the 

 Doctor, who came with me for the novelty of the cruise, 

 bringing his camera to fasten upon anything picturesque. 

 We landed near Half-way Island, and pitched our tent for 

 the night. Early next morning I commenced the rather 

 formidable undertaking of ascending the hills, for it is not 

 possible to pass under the cliffs, and at last I gained the 

 summit of the loftiest, overlooking Cape Bird at a distance 

 of 3 or 4 miles, and affording a splendid view to the west- 

 ward, as well as glimpses between the hills, of the blue 

 eastern sea. Long and anxiously did I survey the western 

 sea, ice, and lands, and could not but feel that in all pro- 

 bability we should not be permitted to pass beyond our 

 present position. 



To the northward Four River Point— Sir James Ross's 



