ACROSS THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, ETC. 185 



searched assiduously during the morning, we had but little suc- 

 cess. We saw several deer in the thick forest on the side of the 

 cape, and a great number of black shags, or cormorants, flying 

 over the breakers, and resting upon the surf-washed rocks. 



On the morning of the 11th, Mr. Hanson, the mate, returned 

 from the shore, and reported that the channel was smooth ; it 

 was therefore deemed safe to attempt the passage immediately. 

 While we were weighing our anchor, we descried a brig steering 

 towards us, which soon crossed the bar, and ran up to within 

 speaking distance. It was one of the Hudson's Bay Company's 

 coasters, and, as we were getting under way, a boat put off from 

 her, and we were boarded by Mr. Ogden, a chief factor from one 

 of the Company's forts on the coast. He informed us that the 

 brig left Naus about the first of October, but had been delayed 

 by contrary winds, and rough, boisterous weather. Thus the 

 voyage which usually requires but about eight days for its perform- 

 ance, occupied upwards of two months. They had been on an 

 allowance of a pint of water per day, and had suffered considerably 

 for fresh provision. Mr. Ogden remained with us but a short 

 time, and we stood out past the cape. 



When we entered the channel, the water which had before 

 been so smooth, became suddenly v.ery much agitated, swelling, 

 and roaring, and foaming around us, as if the surges were up- 

 heaved from the very bottom, and as our vessel would fall in the 

 trough of the sea, pitching down like a huge leviathan seeking its 

 native depths, I could not but feel positive, that the enormous 

 Avave, which hung like a judgment over our heads, would inevita- 

 bly engulph us ; but the good ship, like a creature instinct with 

 life, as though she knew her danger, gallantly rose upon it, and 

 but dipped her bows into its crest, as if in scorn of its mighty and 

 irresistible power. This is my first sea voyage, and everything 

 upon the great deep is of course novel and interesting to me. 



During the scene which I have just described, although I was 



24 



