408 Thirty Years 
respective voyages. The best supper our means af- 
forded was provided, and a bowl of punch crowned 
the parting feast. 
We were joined by an elderly Loucheux, who gave 
us a better account of the eastern and western chan- 
nels than we had hitherto obtained. ‘The west 
branch,” he said, “ would take us to the sea, and flowed 
the whole way at no great distance from the mountains.” 
“‘ The eastern was a good channel, and passed close to 
the hills on that side.” He further informed us that 
the Esquimaux were generally to be found on an island 
in the eastern channel, but were seldom seen in the 
western branch, He was, however, unacquainted with 
the coast, and we found afterwards that he knew little 
about the movements of the Esquimaux. . 
Tuesday By six in the morning of the 4th the boats 
were all laden, and ready for departure. It was im- 
possible not to be struck with the difference between 
our present complete state of equipment and that on 
which we had embarked on our former disastrous voy- 
age. Instead of a frail bark canoe, and a scanty sup- 
ply of food, we were now about to commence the sea 
voyage in excellent boats, stored with three months’ 
provision. At Dr. Richardson’s desire the western 
party embarked first. He and his companions saluted 
us with three hearty cheers, which were warmly re- 
turned ; and as we were passing round the point that 
