OF A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. 447 



of the 19th that the snow had fallen some inches in depth, and the whole '^-^• 



. . June. 



country round us was covered. Towards noon it ceased snowing, but the 



19 

 piercing cold gale was unabated and drift flew in clouds. Soon after two 



P..M. we quitted the point for another, which still bore about south-east, at 



which we arrived, after passing over a very flat plain or lake for about seven 



miles. The snow was here firmer than Ave had found it of late, and the 



mountains formed a bight of about four miles in depth on our right. From 



this point a distant part of the range bore south, and promised to turn to the 



westward, as we could see nothing beyond it; we in consequence proceeded 



briskly for it, and had travelled six miles or half-way, when we saw it take 



a sweep to very distant hills, south-east. All my hopes of making westing 



noAV ceased, and I was aware that nothing could be done in this direction, 



which certainly was not the route crossed by the natives in their passage to 



the Western Sea. I therefore struck from off the plain to the foot of the 



high land about three miles on our right, where Ave tented, and I determined 



on Avaiting till the gale should moderate, A\'hcn I could retrace my steps to 



Quilliam Creek, and from thence proceed, if the season aa'ouIcI permit, in 



some other direction. 



" The north-east gale continued during the fore part of the day, yet I 20. 

 should have set out had it not been for the severe pain it caused our faces, 

 and its influence on our snoAA-shoes, Avhich it sometimes turned quite aside 

 and almost tripped us up. Four large white birds, Avith black-tipped Avings, 

 passed at some distance. In the afternoon we started, and travelling eight 

 hours over the snoAv, AA'hich was somewhat hardened by the gale, reached 

 the little rocky isle on Avhich we had passed the 17th. 



" The Avind Avas unabated on the Slst, and at three P.M. avc started, but 21. 

 Avere soon detained by one of the dogs slipping his harness and giving chase 

 to a couple of deer, Avhich he pursued Avith great spirit to the hills, where he 

 soon disappeared, regardless of all our cries to stop him. At the expiration of 

 a couple of hours, and Avhen Ave had advanced tAvo or three miles, giving him 

 up for lost, Ave saw him tracking our footsteps, and he soon came up much 

 fatigued. We travelled nine hours on this day, yet very sloAvly, for I had 

 sprained my foot amongst the rocks some days before and it had now 

 become very troublesome. Soon after midnight avc arrived and tented at 

 the place Avhere we slept on the 16th ; deer Avere abundant, and a buck Avas 

 shot near the tent. We this day saw four brent-geese and several large 

 flocks of ducks. 



