PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. 273 



1827. 



CHAPTER VII. 



Arrive at Chamisso Island — Find the Barge wrecked — Lieute- 

 nant Belcher's Proceedings — Conduct of the natives — Approach 

 of Winter — Final Departure from the Polar Sea — Observa- 

 tions upon the probability of the North-West Passage from the 

 Pacific — Remarks upon the Tribe inhabiting the North-West 

 Coast of America — Return to California — Touch at San Bias, 

 Valparaiso, Coquimbo, Rio Janeiro — Conclusion. 



After having so narrowly escaped shipwreck, we chap. 

 beat up all night with thick weather, and the next ^'^• 

 morning steered for Chamisso Island. As we ap- ge|,t. 

 proached the anchorage we were greatly disappointed 

 at not seeing the barge at anchor, as her time had ex- 

 pired several days, and her provisions were too nearly 

 expended for her to remain at sea with safety to her 

 crew ; but on scrutinizing the shore with our tele- 

 scopes, we discovered a flag flying upon the south- 

 w^est point of Choris Peninsula, and two men waving 

 a piece of white cloth to attract attention. Amidst 

 the sensations of hope and fear, a doubt immediately 

 arose, whether the people we saw were the long looked 

 for land expedition, or the crew of our boat, who had 

 been unfortunate amongst the ice, or upon the coast, 

 in the late boisterous weather. The possibility of its 

 being the party under Captain Franklin arrived in 

 safety, after having accomphshed its glorious under- 

 taking, was the first, because the most ardent, wish of 

 our sanguine minds ; but this was soon contradicted 



VOL. II. T 



