1 32 ARCTIC VOYAGES. Chap. V. 



venience from the cold ; and this was continued for 

 twelve nights, the temperature not lower than 23°. 

 Here they found traces of natives, and several 

 graves. Proceeding up an arm of the bay, which 

 runs inland, a tent of seal-skins was found on the 

 beach, and two natives appeared on the heights. 

 They were at first rather shy, but by degrees ac- 

 quired confidence. They appeared not to differ in 

 any respect from the common race of Esquimaux ; 

 the whole tribe amounted but to twelve. Their sur- 

 prise was roused only by witnessing some of the 

 crew firing at a mark with muskets. A pistol was 

 given to one of the natives, who fired into the water ; 

 the recoil startled him so much that he immediately 

 slunk away into his tent. The following morning, 

 being the third, it was found they had all departed, 

 leaving every thing behind them : their sudden 

 retreat being no doubt occasioned by their alarm at 

 the firing. 



The party had now advanced to an extensive 

 bay, or rather an inland basin, whose circumference 

 could not be less than fifty miles. It was perfectly 

 free of ice, not one piece being visible in this im- 

 mense sheet of water. Clavering thinks it the same 

 which was discovered by Gael Hamkes in 1654, and 

 which bears his name. In an inlet from this bay, 

 the mountains on both sides were of a great height, 

 ending in immense glaciers, at least 5000 feet high. 

 On the 29th of August they reached the ships, after 



