348 OBSTRUCTIONS ENCOUNTERED 



tried to launch across it. As for carrying, the 

 wood was much too sodden and heavy to allow 

 the thought to be entertained. The steers- 

 men, whose long acquaintance with inland ice 

 had made them skilful in discovering the best 

 way of overcoming such difficulties, were de- 

 spatched to different stations, that by crossing 

 the view they might have the better chance 

 of acquiring the necessary information ; they 

 returned, however, with nothing but regrets at 

 their want of success, and did not hesitate to 

 express an opinion that a passage could not 

 be reckoned upon until the natural disruption 

 of the main body. Nor was this the result of 

 any lukewarmness ; for, on the contrary, they 

 were zealous and hearty in the cause in which 

 they had embarked, and the expression of the 

 opinion was evidently painful to them. Of this 

 a proof was immediately given by their cheer- 

 fulness in preparing for a start when I was heard 

 to say that we would try what old voyageurs 

 could do. I had in fact discovered by means 

 of the telescope a slip of what I took to be 

 water away to the N. E., in which direction, from 

 the invariable pointing of all the Esquimaux 

 marks we had yet seen, I felt confident that not 

 only the river but the sea would be found. 

 Patches also were visible in the ice between the 

 water and the opposite land ; and it was clear 



