34 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 
had been numbered with the dead. We learned 
that one of the larger masses of ice had provi- 
dentially drifted between the vessel’s side and — 
the rocks just at the time he expected to strike, 
to which he secured her until a breeze sprang up, 
and enabled him to pursue his voyage. 
The Governor acquainted me that he had re- 
ceived information from the Committee of the 
Hudson’s Bay Company of the equipment of the 
Expedition, and that the officers would come out 
in the first ship. In the evening Dr, Richardson, 
Mr. Hood, and I, accompanied the Governor to 
York Factory, which we reached after dark ; itis 
distant from the Flats seven miles. Early next 
morning the Governor conferred the honour of a 
salute on the members of the Expedition. . 
Having communicated to the Governor the 
objects of the Expedition, and that I had been 
directed to consult with him and the senior 
Servants of the Company as to the best mode 
of Proceeding towards the execution of the sef- 
vice, I was gratified by his assurance that his 
nstructions from the Committee directed that 
every possible assistance should be given to 
forward our progress, and that he should fee 
peculiar pleasure in performing this part of his 
_ duty. He introd d me at once to’ Messrs. 
Charles, Swaine, and Suodie, masters of dis 
