June, 1858. SHOOTING LITTLE AUKS. 135 



montbis earlier; but tlie importance of this dif- 

 ference is incalculable. 



The opportunities afforded by the delays to 

 which we have been subjected were turned, 

 however, to some account. Nearly one thousand 

 rotchies were shot ; they are excellent eating, 

 their average weight is four ounces and a half, 

 but when prepared for the table they probably 

 do not yield more than three ounces each. A 

 young bear imprudently swam up to the ship, 

 and was shot, — his skin fell to the sportsman, 

 and .carcase to the dogs. Several others have 

 been seen : we watched one fellow surprise a 

 seal upon the ice, and carry it about in his 

 mouth as a cat does a mouse. 



21th. — Lying fast to the ice off the Crimson 

 Cliffs of Sir John Ross. Yesterday we suc- 

 ceeded in passing through the nip, and by 

 evening reached Cape York. Seeing natives 

 running out upon the land-ice, the ship was 

 made fast for an hour in order to communicate 

 with them. A party of eight men came on 

 board : they immediately recognised Petersen, 

 for they lived at Etah in Smith's Sound when 

 he was there in the American expedition. They 

 asked for Dr. Kane, and told us Hans was 

 married and living in Whale Sound. They all 

 said he was most anxious to return to Green- 



