120 VOYAGE TO THE POLAR SEA. August 



long chase, killed three musk-oxen out of a herd of 

 five, which were feeding near the edge of a frozen 

 lake about a mile inland. The coast hills between 

 St. Patrick's Bay and Cape Beechey are generally un- 

 dulating and their sides less steep than at other parts 

 of Eobeson Channel, so probably that neighbourhood 

 is a fair station for game. North of Cape Beechey the 

 cliffs rise direct from the sea, and except at the head 

 of the bays offer no feeding ground for musk-oxen. 



If ever again travellers visit that neighbourhood, 

 they would do well to examine the valley leading to the 

 north-east behind Cape Beechey, which I believe will 

 be found to communicate with another, descending 

 into Wrangel Bay. There is apparently another 

 valley leading in the same direction connecting Wrangel 

 and Lincoln Bays, behind Mount Parry and Cape 

 Frederick VII. Land travelling should usually be 

 avoided, but I suggest this route on account of the 

 great difficulties encountered on the ice in the channel 

 by our sledging parties. 



The 29th was a calm bright day, and spring-tides 

 being near there was every prospect of the ice opening. 

 The barometer falling also gave signs of a breeze from 

 the southward. 



During the forenoon the pack remained close 

 against the ice-foot of Cape Beechey. After divine 

 service, Mr. Pullen, Egerton, and I pulled in a boat 

 along the shore as far as the ice permitted us, and then 

 ascended the cape by crawling up a steep ravine. On 

 arriving at the summit I found that we could not see up 

 Eobeson Channel, so we were obliged to walk about two 

 miles along the hill top through the soft snow before 



