CHAPTER XX. 



On the Rocks of Resolution. 



the homeward journey — visit to ashe's inlet — stupart's bay 

 and port burwell — attempt to make a landing on reso- 

 lution island — fast on the rocks — arrival at st. john's, 

 n.f., and halifax, n.s. 



fHE Expedition left Port De Boucherville at daylight on the 

 morning of Sunday, the 21st September, and steamed away 

 toward Ashe's Inlet, on the northern coast of the Strait, 

 *^* hoping to be able to pay Captain Spicer's trading-station at 

 North Bluff a visit on our way. We met with but very little ice, 

 only here and there a lone island pan. The day was fine and the 

 water smooth. On Monday there was a light wind blowing about 

 twelve miles an hour from the south, which made the water a little 

 lumpy. The mist that rendered the morning rather thick cleared away 

 by noon, and we spent most of the day coasting along from four to 

 six miles off the rugged north shores of the Strait, west of Big Island. 



We had the bad luck not to be able to find the Spicer trading- 

 post ; and while we were yet scanning the coast carefully, in the 

 hope of sighting some trace of it, the boatswain announced Ashe's 

 station, which was no little surprise. We anchored in the harbour 

 at three o'clock, and were welcomed by Mr. Ashe and the men with 

 him, as only these lonely mortals could welcome us. They were all 

 well, and well contented. The large number of natives with them, 

 when we left, had taken leave of the station a day or two after the 

 Neptune sailed, and none had made their appearance since. For 

 this, they said, they had no regrets, as they were great beggars and 

 much in the way. 



They had collected a number of deer and seal skins, half a dozen 



