2i^C) BOATS AGROUND. 



lately left. Endeavours were made to purchase one 

 of their boats, but without success. Near Point 

 Cameron, where we encamped at night, thousands 

 of loons and diving-ducks were assembled, but were 

 very shy ; and an enormous white owl, which I 

 endeavoured to get a shot at, was far too wary for my 

 success. The best way to catch these birds is to 

 trail some small object like a mouse at a long distance 

 behind by a string. Landing on Cape Halkett on 

 the morning of the 9th, it was resolved, as the day 

 was calm, to push for the opposite point of Harrison's 

 Bay, and Ave started accordingly. We had much 

 difficulty in threading our way through the floating 

 and grounded ice, but were assisted in om' advance 

 by a strong easterly current. Late in the afternoon 

 a breeze came up from the south-west, to which we 

 hoisted sail. Wind and sea gradually increased to 

 violence ; the boats grounded on shoals at the mouth 

 of the Colville River, and were with difficulty got 

 into deeper water, where their condition was equally 

 unfortunate : the poor little craft were in great 

 danger of swamping, being too deeply laden to rise 

 with sufficient buoyancy to the waves. Much water 

 was shipped, particularly by the "Supply," which being 

 in tow embarrassed us considerably. Our situation 

 became critical, and the boats were of necessity 



