June, 1859. POINT VICTORY. 301 



CHAPTEE XVL 



Errors in Franklin's records — Relics found at the cairn — Reflections 

 on the retreat — Returning homeward — Geological remarks — 

 Difficulties of summer sledging — Arrive onboard the 'Fox' — 

 Navigable N.W. passage — Death from scurvy — Anxiety for 

 Captain Young — Young returns safely. 



On the mornirig of 2nd June we reached 

 Point Victory. Here Hobson's note left for me 

 in the cairn informed me that he had not found 

 the slightest trace either of a wreck anywhere 

 upon the coast, or of natives to the north of 

 Cape Crozier. 



Although somewhat short of provisions, I 

 determined to remain a day here in order to 

 examine an opening at the bottom of Back Bay, 

 called so after Sir George Back, by his friend 

 Sir James Ross, and which had not been ex- 

 plored. This proved to be an inlet nearly 13 

 miles deep, with an average width of li or 2 

 miles ; I drove round it upon the dog sledge, 

 but found no trace of human beings; it was 

 filled with heavy old ice, and was therefore 

 unfavourable for the resort of seals, and con- 

 sequently of natives also. 



