92 



SECOND VOYAGE FOR THE DISCOVERY 



Sept m i sse d a CU P which was required for supper. A general search being insti- 

 v-*-y>*/ tuted in consequence, and the cargo of the women's boots brought back to 

 our tents, I directed all our presents to be likewise taken from the two 

 offenders ; and, dismissing the whole party with great appearance of indig- 

 nation, thus put an end for the present to our communication with these 

 people. 



Tues 11. We moved before broad daylight on the 1 1th, and, after two hours' pro- 

 gress, began to perceive every appearance of our having once more got into 

 a close bay, round the shores of which we now proceeded to row. A deer was 

 here chased into the water, but being on the side of the island opposite to 

 our boats, escaped our pursuit. These animals seem to consider the sea as 

 a great security to them, and they swim fast and to a considerable distance. 

 The nearest island, for which the deer struck out this morning, with a strong 

 breeze and a breaking sea not altogether in his favour, was above two miles 

 distant. 



We landed just before noon, in the hope of obtaining the meridian altitude, 

 but the sun being obscured we continued our circuit of the bay, and at two 

 P.M. put on shore near the mouth of a small creek. The wind had now 

 increased to a stiff gale from the eastward, which being right down the creek, 

 we were above two hours in reaching the head of it, though it is not more than 

 three miles in length. Its breadth varies from one and a half to half a mile, 

 and the shores on both sides are high. One mile from the entrance is an 

 island nearest to the south shore, from which a herd of seven fine deer swam 

 to the main land on our approach, and in consequence of the wind and sea 

 obstructing us landed, before we could get up with them. We now com- 

 menced our return along the starboard shore, having no longer any hope of 

 finding an outlet to the westward in this direction. To the bay that thus 

 terminated the inlet, which had till now excited such encouraging hopes, 

 I gave the name of Ross Bay, in compliment to the gentleman who had 

 accompanied me during the whole of this examination. We landed at 

 sunset at the mouth of another creek, which was reserved for examination 

 on the following morning; and were not sorry to pitch our tents on a fine 

 shingly beach, after a cold and wet day's work. We here saw as usual 

 several deer, but nothing except a marmot and a covy of nine ptarmigan were 

 killed in the course of the day. 

 Wed. 12, After an hour's rowing on the morning of the 12th, we found the creek 

 terminate at the distance of two mites and a half in a south-east direction 



