426 Thirty Years 
in every other part the sea appeared as firmly frozen 
as in winter ; and even close to our encampment the 
massesgf ice were piled up to the height of thirty 
feet. Discouraging as was this prospect, we had the 
consolation’ to know that our store of provision was 
sufficiently ample to allow of a few days’ detention. 
The coast in this part consists of black earth, un- 
mixed with stones of any kind, and its general eleva- 
tion is from sixty to eighty feet, though in- some 
places it swells into hills of two hundred and fifty 
feet, A level plain, abounding in small lakes, extends 
from the top of these banks to the base of a line of 
hills which lie in front of the Rocky Mountains. The 
plain was clothed with grass and plants, then in flower, 
specimens of which were collected. We recognized in 
the nearest range of the Rocky Mountains, which I 
have named after my much-esteemed companion Dr. 
Richardson, the Fitton and Cupola.Mountains, which 
we had seen from Garry Island at the distance of 
sixty miles. Few patches of snow were visible on any 
part of the range. 
Having obtained observations for longitude and va- 
riation, we retired to bed about eight a.m., but had 
only just fallen asleep when we were roused by the 
men on guard calling out that a party of Esquimaux 
were close to the tents ; and, on going out, we found 
the whole of our party under arms. Three Esqui- 
