OF THE POLAR SEA. 318 
island and a promontory of the main shore, — 
termed Big Cape, we entered into a deep bay, 
_ which receives the waters from several rivers 
that come from the northward; and we imme- 
diately perceived a decrease in the temperature 
of the waters, from 59° to 48°. We coasted along 
the eastern side of the bay, its western shore 
being always visible, but the canoes were ex- 
posed to the hazard of being broken by the 
numerous sunken rocks, which were scattered in 
our track. We encamped for the night on a 
rocky island, and by eight A.M. on the following 
morning, afrived at Fort Providence, which is 
situated twenty-one miles from the entrance of 
the bay. The post is exclusively occupied by 
the North-West Company, the Hudson’s Bay 
: ng no settlement to the northward 
. We found Mr. .Wentzel 
situation for fishing. 
to him by a fire on the top of a hill, and: before 
night a messenger came to communicate his 
intention of seeing us next morning. The cus- 
tomary present, of tobacco and some other arti- 
cles, was immediately sent to him. 
