293 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



made to-day was eighteen miles and three- 

 quarters. 



Embarking at four on the morning of the 12th, 

 we proceeded against a fresh piercing north-east 

 wind, which raised the waves to a height that 

 quite terrified our people, accustomed only to the 

 navigation of rivers and lakes. We were obliged, 

 however, to persevere in our advance, feeling as 

 we did, that the short season for our operations 

 was hastening away ; but after rounding Cape 

 Croker the wind became so strong that we could 

 proceed no further. The distance we had made 

 being only six miles on a north-east by east 

 course. The shore on which we encamped is 

 formed of the debris of red sand-stone, and is des- 

 titute of vegetation. The beach furnished no 

 drift wood, and we dispensed with our usual 

 meal rather than expend our pemmican. Several 

 deer were seen, but the hunters could not approach 

 them; they killed two swans. We observed 

 the latitude 68° 1' 20'^ where we halted to break- 

 fast this morning, 



August 13.~Though the wind was not much 

 diminished, we were urged, by the want of fire- 

 wood, to venture upon proceeding. We paddled 

 close to the shore for some miles, and then ran 

 before the breeze with reefed sails, scarcely two 



