OF A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. 



465 



least a day's journey for the sledge, continuing about the same breadth and 1823. 

 not appearing to terminate even at the furthest point seen. After resting 

 a short time, I returned towards the tent, determining, if our people had 

 killed any thing which would furnish a supply of food for the dogs, to run up 

 with the sledge next day, and if possible reach its termination. Having 

 walked about five miles back, I discovered an Esquimaux tent on the north 

 side, which being pitched behind a point had escaped my notice on 

 passing up, and which proved to belong to some of our old friends. As 

 the want of food for the dogs had made me fearful we should be obliged to 

 abandon our object before its accomplishment, I immediately bargained with 

 them for a supply, promising to visit them the next day. They had a few 

 pieces of very fine looking fish drying on the rocks. After stopping with 

 them about ten minutes I took my leave, and, on reaching the point next 

 above our tent, found that the rest of the Esquimaux had arrived during my 

 absence. 



" At twenty minutes past twelve on the 25th we struck our tent and 25 - 

 proceeded up the inlet, stopping a few minutes at the first point, where 

 we purchased some meat for the dogs, and got the promise of a seal on 

 our return. At three P.M. we arrived at the tent of Erichiuk, from whom 

 we purchased some more meat and a very fine salmon. The Esquimaux 

 told us we might reach the head of the inlet to-day ; we therefore left 

 one of our dogs which was lame in Erichiuk's charge, and resumed our 

 journey, with the intention of lightening the sledge at the first convenient 

 place. At four P.M., having reached two small islets situated nearly in 

 mid-channel, we buried whatever we could well spare, to ensure the ac- 

 complishment of our object; and having stopped half an hour to refresh 

 ourselves, we set off at a quick pace. The weather was so thick that 

 it was but very rarely we got a glimpse of the shores on each side of us ; 

 when we did, they seemed rocky and steep ; but a short distance from the 

 beach the land appeared well clothed with vegetation. As we advanced the 

 ice became very thin and rotten, and gave indications of our approach to 

 its termination : at length, about half past nine, we found ourselves 

 within fifty yards of the water, and were obliged to pick our way to the 

 shore over a very rotten surface. On landing we were gratified by the sight 

 of a noble sheet of water, a mile and a half in breadth and perfectly fresh. 

 The tide was out, but there was no current perceptible in the middle, nor 



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