464 Thirty Years 
netted with cords of deer-skin, and were shaped like 
those used by the Indians near the Mackenzie. A 
favorable breeze now sprang up ; and having ascer- 
tained, by mounting one of the Esquimaux stages, 
that, there was still a channel of open water between 
a low island and the main shore, we set sail to follow 
its course. At the end of three miles we found the 
water gradually to decrease from three fathoms to as 
many feet, and shortly afterwards the boats repeatedly 
took the ground. In this situation we were enveloped 
by a thick fog, which limited our view to a few. yards. 
We, therefore, dragged the boats to the land, until 
we could see our way ; this did not happen before ten 
in the evening, when it was discovered from the sub- 
mit of an eminence about two miles distant, that 
though the channel was of some extent, it was very 
shallow, and seemed to be barred by ice to the west- 
ward. We also ascertained that it was bounded to 
seaward by a long reef. The night proved very 
stormy, and we were but scantily supplied with drift 
wood. —_, 
Tuesday, Though the morning of the 1st of August 
commenced with a heavy gale from E.N.E., and very 
foggy weather, we proceeded to the reef, after much 
fatigue in dragging the boats over the flats, under the 
supposition that our best chance of getting forward 
would be by passing on the outside of it. But there 
