OPEN INTO A BAY. 375 



in the tent. I had already been to the summit 

 of a tolerably high hill, but could not descry 

 any land : there was, however, much ice in a 

 N.N.W. bearing; and the space between the 

 western shore and us, which might be from five 

 to six miles, was quickly filling up by the 

 drifting masses from the main body. It was, 

 therefore, an important consideration to push 

 on as fast as possible, and secure the passage 

 that was still left ; but whether in effecting this 

 the right or the left side should be preferred, was 

 a question that I had some difficulty in solving. 

 The general direction of the last two days would 

 have inclined me to lean to the western shore ; 

 but depending on the marks, which were now 

 seen on every height, I chose the other ; and 

 starting at 4 a. m., July 28., with a chilly north- 

 west wind, and the thermometer at 38°, we made 

 for an island right ahead, and bearing N.N.E. 



A short breaking sea and the ice together 

 considerably impeded our progress; but on reach- 

 ing the island, we opened upon a bay, into which 

 I pulled, with the double purpose of finding the 

 river if it were there, or of creeping under a wea- 

 ther shore if it were not ; and after a course of 

 about three miles to an island, which formed a 

 strait with the mainland, we had the satisfaction to 

 find that the current was running with us to the 

 eastward. Leaving the lake, therefore, which, as 



b b 4 



