408 Thirty Years 



respective voyages. The best supper our means af- 

 forded was provided, and a bowl of punch crowned 

 the parting feast. 



We were joined by an elderly Loucheux, who gave 

 us a better account of the eastern and western chan- 

 nels than we had hitherto obtained. " The west 

 branch," he said, " would take us to the sea, and flowed 

 the whole way at no great distance from the mountains." 

 " The eastern was a good channel, and passed close to 

 the hills on that side." He further informed us that 

 the Esquimaux were generally to be found on an island 

 in the eastern channel, but were seldom seen in the 

 western branch. He was, however, unacquainted with 

 the coast, and we found afterwards that he knew little 

 about the movements of the Esquimaux. 



1 4ih ! ' y By six in the morning of the 4th the boats 

 wen: all laden, and ready for departure. It was im- 

 possible not to be struck with the difference between 

 our present complete state of equipment and that on 

 which we had embarked on our former disastrous voy- 

 age. Instead of a frail bark canoe, and a scanty Bap- 

 ply of food, we were now about to commence the sea 

 voyage in excellent boats, stored with three months' 

 provision. At Dr. Richardson's desire the western 



party embarked first. Ee and bis « tpanions saluted 



us with three hearty cheers, which were warmly re- 

 turned ; and as we were passing round the point th.it. 



