In the Arctic Regions. 409 
was to hide them from our view, we perceived them 
also embarking. Augustus was rather melancholy, as 
might have been expected, on his parting from Oolig- 
buck, te proceed he knew not whither ; but he recov- 
ered his wonted flow of spirits by the evening. 
Our course was directly towards the Rocky Moun- 
tain range, till we came near the low land that skirts 
its base ; where, following the deepest channel, we 
turned to the northward. I was desirous of coasting 
the main shore, but finding some of the westernmost. 
branches too shallow, we kept on the outside of three 
islands for about twelve miles, when we entered the 
channel that washes the west side of Simpson’s Is- 
land. It was winding, and its breadth seldom exceed- 
ed a quarter of a mile. During our progress we oc- 
casionally caught a glimpse of the Rocky Mountains, 
which was an agreeable relief to the very dull picture 
that the muddy islands in our neighborhood afforded. 
We halted to breakfast just before noon, and observed 
the latitude 67° 51’ N. 
In the afternoon one deer was seen, and many 
swans and geese; we did not fire at them, for fear of 
alarming any Esquimaux that might be near. En- 
camped at eight P. m., opposite Simpson’s Island. 
The boats were secured without discharging the car- 
goes, and two men were placed on guard, to be reliev- 
ed every two hours. 
18 
