DETERMINE TO RETURN. 427 



fate would have been inevitable. Thus circum- 

 stanced, therefore, and reflecting on the long 

 and dangerous stream, combining all the bad 

 features of the worst rivers in the country, that 

 we had to retrace, the hazards of the falls and 

 rapids, and the slender hope which remained of 

 our attaining even a single mile farther, I felt 

 that I had no choice, and, assembling the 

 men, I informed them that the period fixed 

 by his Majesty's Government for my return 

 had arrived ; and that it now only remained to 

 unfurl the British flag, and salute it with three 

 cheers in honour of His Most Gracious Majesty, 

 whilst his royal name should be given to this 

 portion of America, by the appellation of Wil- 

 liam the Fourth's Land. The intimation was 

 received with extreme satisfaction; and the loyal 

 service performed with the cheering accom- 

 paniment of a small allowance from our limited 

 remaining stock of spirits. 



The latitude of this place was 68° 13' 51" N., 

 longitude, 94° 58' V W., and variation, as well 

 as the sluggishness of the instrument would 

 allow me to determine, 1° 46' W. From this 

 it appears that we were only four miles south 

 of Point Turnagain, which consequently bore 

 nearly due west from us. 



