OF A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. 109 



baggage over land by eleven o'clock. All hands then returned for the two \^~^ 

 boats, across the gunwales of which the masts and oars were lashed for lifting 



them, the ground not allowing us to drag them except for a short space here 

 and there. By half-past one the first boat had been carried over and, by the 

 unwearied exertions of the officers and men, we had the satisfaction of 

 launching the second before four o'clock, the distance being a mile and a half, 

 and chiefly over rocky and uneven ground. The weather felt cold and raw 

 during the day ; but we were afterwards surprised to learn that, while we were 

 thus employed, the thermometer had been as low as 20° on board the ships. 

 As soon as we had dined, the boats were re-loaded ; and at five o'clock we 

 left the shore. A quantity of ice was still aground upon the shoals and islets , 

 off Cape Martineau, through which however we fortunately found a passage 

 before dark, when, having cleared every obstacle, we sailed in an open sea 

 and with a fresh breeze to the northward. Keeping close along the shore 

 to avoid missing the ships in the dark, our first musket was immediately 

 answered by a blue-light ; and being guided by the lights now shewn by the 

 ships, we arrived on board at nine P.M., where we found that our late de- 

 tention had excited some alarm for our safety. 



During my absence from the ships, Lieutenant Hoppner had been de- 

 spatched to ascertain whether the portion of land to the southward of Cape 

 Edwards was insular or otherwise, Avith a view to save time in the examina- 

 tion of this part of the coast on my return. The land in question proved an 

 island ; but the passages within it being shoal, and narrowed by several inlets, 

 I determined on going on the outside, which would occupy very little more 

 time with much less risk to the ships. We therefore kept to windward as well 

 as we were able, during a night of ten hours of more than usual darkness, in 

 a channel only seven miles in width, and with squally and unsettled weather. 



On the morning of the 25th the wind had gradually veered to the south- Tucs. 25. 

 ward, bringing up the ice so far as to obstruct our passage round the island. 

 After making several tacks near its margin, we found it so close and 

 heavy as to render a passage through it wholly impracticable, even had 

 we been favoured with a free wind. We therefore hauled over to the western 

 land, and at four P.M., anchored in an open bay close to the shore, and in 

 twenty-three fathoms, being the only shelter we could find. Nothing could 

 have proved more opportune than our anchoring here, as it soon came on to 

 snow so hard with an increase of wind, that the situation of the ships if 

 under way must have been a very hazardous one. 



