312 



SECOND VOYAGE FOR THE DISCOVERY 



Au^uk wllicn la ) r immediately below us in about an east and west direction, 

 being two miles in width, apparently very deep, and with a tide or current of 

 at least two knots setting the loose ice through to the eastward. Beyond us 

 to the west, the shores again separated to the distance of several leagues ; 

 and for more than three points of the compass in that direction no land 

 could be seen to the utmost limits of a clear horizon, except one island six 

 or seven miles distant. Over this we could not entertain a doubt of having 

 discovered the Polar Sea ; and loaded as it was with ice, we already felt as 

 if we were on the point of forcing our way through it along the northern 

 shores of America. 



After despatching one of our party to the foot of the point for some of 

 the sea-water, which was found extremely salt to the taste, we hailed the 

 interesting event of the morning by three hearty cheers and by a small extra 

 allowance of grog to our people, to drink a safe and speedy passage through 

 the channel just discovered, which I ventured to name by anticipation, the 

 Strait of the Fury and Hecla. Having built a pile of stones upon the pro- 

 montory which, from its situation with respect to the Continent of America, 

 I called Cape North-East, we walked back to our tent and baggage, these 

 having, for the sake of greater expedition, been left two miles behind; and 

 after resting a few hours set out at three P.M. on our return. To save our- 

 selves the fatigue of re-ascending the craggy and precipitous mountain land 

 passed over in the morning, we struck through some ravines and valleys 

 more to the southward, which however led us so far out of our way, with- 

 out much improving the road, that we did not reach our dep6t till a quarter 

 past seven in the evening, after a circuitous journey of fourteen or fifteen 

 miles. This walk however subsequently proved of service in pointing out 

 the route by which another object might be attained. 



The whole of the tract over which we passed this day was inconceivably 

 barren and desolate, with scarcely a tuft of moss or grass, or even a snow 

 bunting's note to give occasional animation to the scene. I cannot help 

 adding however, that where, in some moist and sheltered situation, a little 

 patch of green did occur, the sorrel, (rumex digyniis,) was sure to have put 

 forth its leaves. Nor is this the only instance in which we have remarked 

 that this hardy and valuable antiscorbutic plant seems, as it were, to glory 

 in springing up and flourishing in situations where scarcely any other can 

 find soil or moisture for its sustenance. A number of small lakes occur in 

 every part of this country, as well as on all the islands that we visited. 



