OF A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. 71 



fine and we pitched our tent on some smooth gravel, evidently so levelled by .^^^'' 

 the Esquimaux. At midnight two large black whales came from the south- 

 ward and passed into the bay. As the wind continued fresh from the north- 

 ward and the surf was heavy, we did not take advantage of the morning tide 

 on the 28th, but decided on waiting until afternoon. In the mean time 

 Mr. Bushnan and myself took fresh bearings and obtained good sights for 

 longitude, which we found to be 84° 30' 05". 



"The tide had fallen to its lowest ebb at six A.M., sixteen feet. As the 

 land appeared continuous to the westward, we ascended some mountains at 

 about three miles in that direction, in order to look out for a covu-sc for our 

 boat, when we should be able to float her. From hence we saw the northern 

 land assume the appearance of a noble bay, having in it a few low islands. 

 To the eastward we saw a large opening to the sea, which was distant about 

 five leagues, and was the direction in Avhich Captain Parry had proceeded. 

 It was also evident that the land bounding the small strait, in that direction, 

 was insular, and I therefore named it Georginv Island. We took new bear- 

 ings and, having erected a conspicuous pile of stones to serve as the termi- 

 nation of a base for our survey, we again descended to the point. At noon 

 we obtained a good meridian altitude, which gave the latitude G6^ 12' 23". 

 We cauglit a large bee, apis alpina, and two small but beautiful butterflies. 

 The people took two mice, and some deer were seen grazing at a distance. 

 The rocks were chiefly of gray granite, but we also obtained interesting spe- 

 cimens of other stones. At thirty minutes past twelve, the tide having risen 

 so as to float our boat, we made sail to the westward to examine the only 

 jwint which we supposed could bound any inlet, but finding the land conti- 

 nxious we again returned to the eastward. At the distance of one mile from 

 the shore we could get no soundings with our boat's lead at twenty-five fa- 

 thoms, but nearer the beach it shoaled gradually, and I have no doubt that 

 good anchorage would be found. Leaving the bay, which as a small token 

 of gratitude I named after Rear- Admiral Sir John Gore, I decided on 

 going to the eastward of Georgina Island, and at half past three we passed its 

 extreme point, where we found a snug bay about a mile in circumference 

 liaving a smaU islet in its centre Soon after four P.M. we met, on entering 

 the large strait, two of our boats, which had been sent to sound. Waiting 

 with them on a low rocky point until the strength of the tide abated, we 

 then returned on board by ten P.M." 



