OF A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. 67 



return to the shiiDS with as little delay as was consistent with the object we ^S^'- 

 Imd in view, namely, to ascertain through which of the two channels it was v..*-y>^ 

 expedient or practicable to bring the ships. 



I found that the northern shore near which there was no ice, and which is 

 here separated from the other to the distance of two or three leagues, was 

 that to which our course should be directed, in order to obtain a distinct view 

 of the neighbouring lands. We therefore steered for the highest hill, which 

 rises perhaps from twelve to fourteen hundred feet above the level of the 

 sea. The wind freshening up to a gale from the westward, we reached the 

 beach at seven P.M., having obtained no soundings with fourteen to twenty 

 fathoms of line in the course of our run. We found a good deal of surf upon 

 the beach, which is a rough and stony one, requiring some caution to prevent 

 swamping or staving the boat. While the men were carrying up the things 

 and pitching the tents, Mr. Ross and myself were occupied in taking the 

 angles for the survey, it being too late to set out on our intended excursion to 

 the hills. We found our tents, drenched as they were by the sea, extremely 

 comfortable. They were of the kind called horsemen's tents and made of 

 canvass instead of blanketing. The shelter they afford when aided by the 

 warmth of a blanket made into a bag, and a dry suit of clothes for sleeping in, 

 give no bad accommodation, so long as the temperature of the atmosphere 

 does not fall more than two or three degrees below the freezing point. 



The breeze moderated soon after our landing and a fine clear night suc- 

 ceeded. At four in the morning, Mr. Ross and myself ascended thcTues. 28. 

 nearest hill, in the hope of being able to satisfy ourselves respecting the 

 existence of a pa.ssage for the ships, in at least one direction. I therefore 

 directed the tents to be struck and every thing to be in readiness for moving 

 on our return. On reaching the summit of the fii*sthill, however, we found, 

 as is not unfrequently the case, that our view was but little improved, and that 

 . no prospect could be obtained to the northward, widiout ascending the higher 

 hill seen the preceding evening, and which we now found still several miles 

 beyond us. As therefore no satisfactory information could be gained widiout 

 giving up the day to this object, we immediately returned to the tents to breakfast, 

 with the intention of then setting out, accompanied by two of the men. 

 ^^'hile preparing for this, I felt so much indisposed with a sick-head ach 

 that, !)eing apprehensive of laying myself up at a time when I could least 

 afford to do so, I determined to intrust the proposed service to Mr. Ross, iu 

 whose zeal and ability to accomplish it I felt the utmost confidence. Mr. Ross 



K 2 



