OF A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. 



277 



fixed ice* had broken off and drifted out of sight during our absence. At im - 

 nine A.M. we saw eleven canoes coming off from the shore, our distance from ^r^f 

 the tents being about four miles, where our soundings were from eleven to 

 twelve fathoms, having] shoaled gradually in the last two or three miles from 

 forty-two to that depth. As the new line of ice left us something to examine, 

 we bore up along its edge for that purpose, as well as to avoid the disturb- 

 ance of our friends, who were approaching us with loud shouts during the 

 time of divine service. After this the wind backed more to the south- 

 ward, and thick snow coming on so as to prevent our seeing ahead, we hove 

 to for the canoes which had in the mean time communicated with the Hecla. 

 We now hoisted two of them on board, their owners Kd-kee and Nil-7/dk-kd 

 being very well pleased with the expedient to avoid damaging them along- 

 side. Above an hour was occupied in endeavouring to gain additional infor- 

 mation respecting the land to the westward, and the time when we might 

 expect the ice to break up in the strait, after which we dismissed them with 

 various useful presents, the atmosphere becoming extremely thick with snow, 

 and threatening a repetition of the same inclement weather as we had lately 

 experienced. The snow ceasing, however, in the course of the evening we 

 found ourselves close to a small island called by the Esquimaux See-o-wak, 

 and laid down by lligliuk in her chart with astonishing precision. This 

 little island which, from its extreme lowness, and being situated just in the 

 middle of the mouth of the strait, is somewhat dangerous, subsequently 

 received the name of Tern Island, from the immense number of those birds 

 found upon it. It is almost entirely surrounded with shoals, particularly on 

 its southern and eastern sides, but attention to the leads is sufficient to pre- 

 vent danger, and the grounded ice is in general a tolerably safe beacon. 

 The wind having now veered to the northward and westward, Avith clear 

 weather, I directed the ships to be made fast to the fixed ice between Tern 

 Island and another to the northward of Igloolik, this being a favourable situ- 

 ation for observing any alteration that might take place. I was desirous 

 moreover of obtaining good observations for our position and angles for the 

 survey, which the state of the weather had prevented our doing since our 

 arrival off the strait. 



About this time we began to insert in the log the true courses only, and to 

 conduct the ships by a kind of dial-plate purposely constructed, of which 



* The expression " fixed ice"" appearing better suited to our present obstacle than that of 

 " land ice,'"' I shall in future adopt it in speaking of this barrier. 



