CONCLUSION OF VOYAGE. 341 



of longitude, and when, finally, if sickness had overtaken any one, his fate 

 would have been inevitable. Thus circumstanced, therefore, and reflecting 

 on the long and dangerous stream (combining all the bad features of the 

 worst rivers in the country) that we had to retrace, ... I felt that I 

 had no choice, and assembling the men, I informed them that the period 

 fixed by his Majesty's Government for my return had arrived ; and that it 

 now only remained to unfurl the British flag, and salute it with three cheers 

 in honour of his most gracious Majesty, whilst his royal name should 

 be given to this portion of America, by the appellation of William IV. 's 

 Land." It was with satisfaction, not to say delight, that this intimation was 

 received. King William's Land, opposite the mouth of Great Fish Kiver — 

 not one of the least of Back's discoveries — was duly named, and a dram 

 concluded the ceremony. 



The return voyage up the river was commenced on the 21st August, and 

 prosecuted without interruption to its close. On the 17th September, 

 having on that day arrived at the source of the river, and commenced the 

 portage across the watershed to Lake Aylmer, Back had the great pleasure 

 of again meeting Mr M'Leod, accompanied by six men. Delayed for two 

 days by unfavourable weather. Captain Back set out again on the 20th Sep- 

 tember, crossed Lakes Aylmer and Clinton-Golden, and encamped on the 

 shore of Artillery Lake. On the 27th the whole party arrived at Fort 

 Reliance, " after an absence of four months ; tired indeed, but well in health, 

 and truly grateful for the manifold mercies we had experienced in the course 

 of our long and perilous journey." The house was found still standing, but 

 dreadfully out of repair, and after a rest of a few hours. Back and his com- 

 panions were obliged to commence the labour of restoring it, and rendering 

 it habitable. 



The winter months of 1834-35 passed over uneventfully, and on 21st March, 

 bidding farewell to his friend M'Leod, and to the region of his discoveries, 

 Captain Back set out for, and shortly reached, Fort Resolution, on his return 

 to England. From this point his progress was unmarked by any unusual 

 or noteworthy incident. On the 17th August, he took ship from New York 

 for England, where he arrived on the 8th September. Mr King, with eight 

 of the men, reached England in October. 



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