T H E P A C I F I C O C E A N. 4R5 



'^hich conneds this peninfula with the continent, is full of „ '77S- 



» September. 



narrow creeks ; and abounds with ponds of water, fome of 

 which were already frozen over. There were a great many 

 geefe and bullards ; but fo fliy, that it was not pollible to 

 get within muiket-fhot of them. We alfo met with fome 

 fnipes ; and on the high ground were partridges of two 

 forts. Where there was any wood, mufquitoes were in 

 plenty. Some of the officers, who travelled farther than I 

 did, met with a few of the natives of both fexes, who treated 

 them with civility. 



It appeared to me, that this peninfula muft have been an 

 ifland in remote times ; for there were marks of the fea 

 having flowed over the ifthmus. And, even now, it ap- 

 peared to be kept out by a bank of fand, ftones, and wood 

 thrown up by the waves. By this bank it was evident, that 

 the land was here encroaching upon the fea, and it was cafy 

 to trace its gradual formation. 



About feven in the evening, Mr. King returned from his 

 expedition; and reported, that he proceeded with the boats 

 about three or four leagues farther than the fhips had been 

 able to go ; that he then landed on the Weft fide; that, from 

 the heights, he could fee the two coafts join, and the inlet to 

 terminate in a fmall river or creek, before which were banks 

 of fand or mud; and everywhere (hoal water. The land 

 too, was low and fwampy for fome diflance to the North- 

 ward ; then it fwelled into hills ; and the complete jun<5lion 

 of thofe, on each fide of the inlet, was eafily traced. 



From the elevated fpot on which Mr. King furveyed the 

 Sound, he could diftinguifli many cxtenfive vallies, with rivers 

 running through them, well wooded, and bounded by hills 

 of a gentle afcent and moderate height. One of thcfe rivers 



to 



