1741. CHANNEL’S MOUTH—BYRON. 325 
however, freshened to a gale, and they were obliged to run 
before it, and throw all their provisions overboard to lighten 
the boat. 
At night they took refuge in a small opening, which led to 
a secure harbour, and next day advanced a little farther, till 
they reached some small islands, where they were detained three 
or four days by bad weather. 
After leaving that place, they found an opening, into which 
they rowed, flattering themselves it would prove to be a pas- 
sage; but, being disappointed, they were obliged to return. 
This was probably the inlet, called ¢ Channel’s Mouth,’ 
Xavier Island was the next place they went to, named by 
them Montrose Island. Byron describes this island so ex- 
actly, that there cannot be the least doubt of its identity. «The 
next morning,” he says, “‘ being calm, we rowed out; but 
as soon as clear of the island, we found a great swell from the 
westward : we rowed to the bottom of a very large bay, which 
was to northward of us, the land very low, and we were in 
hopes of finding some inlet through, but did not ; so kept along 
shore to the westward. This part, which I take to be fifty 
leagues from Wager Island, is the very bottom of the large 
bay it lies in. Here was the only passage to be found, which 
(if we could by any means have got information of it) would 
have saved us much fruitless labour. Of this passage I shall 
have occasion to say more hereafter.”——Byron’s Nar. p.74. This 
is evidently San Quintin Sound. They proceeded to the west- 
ward and northward, entered a larger bay (Holloway Sound), 
and discovered another headland at a great distance to the 
westward (Cape Tres Montes), which they reached with much 
difficulty ; but being unable to get round it, and losing the 
boat that accompanied them, besides being obliged to leave four 
of the marines behind, they became quite disheartened, and 
returned to Wager Island, to linger out their miserable lives, 
without the least prospect of again seeing home. This 
expedition occupied two months, during which they lived 
principally upon sea-weed, called < tangle ;’ but sometimes 
passed whole days without eating anything at all. While they 
