CHAPTER XVIII. 



The Attractions of York Factory. 



anchorage in the open water — a voyage in a york boat — 

 the streets and buildings of the ancient metropolis of 

 york — the cree settlement — great kindness of the 

 hudson's bay company's people — sickness — death — a mur- 

 der trial. 



;URING our stay at Churchill Lieut. Gordon made arrange- 

 ments with Chief Factor Spencer to act as meteorological 

 observer. The anemometer was erected on one of the 

 buildings, a thermometer shed was set up, and the baro- 

 meter hung in a suitable place. Mr. Spencer had received the 

 proper instructions, and on Tuesday evening, the 9th, the Neptune 

 was ready for departure. We steamed out of the harbour at dark, 

 on our way to York Factory, taking with us Mr. George MacTavish, 

 Chief Accountant at Churchill, who availed himself of the oppor- 

 tunity to make the journey. 



On Wednesday evening we arrived off the mouth of the Nelson 

 and Hayes Rivers ; but the water was quite shallow, and darkness 

 having overtaken us, the Neptune was laid to until morning. The 

 weather was quite thick all clay, but there was only a moderate 

 wind. Thursday morning brought us but little improvement ; but 

 at nine o'clock it was clearing, and we were in sight of the beacon 

 on Beacon Point, a narrow, low point of land, at which the waters 

 of the Nelson and Hayes Rivers unite. Our captain knew that 

 there was no harbour at York, and therefore approached the " five 

 fathom hole" anchorage, fifteen miles off the Fort, with great 

 caution. Mr. MacTavish acted as pilot. He was quite well ac- 

 quainted with the ground ; but by some miscalculation we went a 

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