OF THE POLAR SEA. 195 



but as we proceeded, the shore became 

 exceedingly rocky and sterile ; and at last, 

 projecting considerably to the northward, it 

 formed a high and steep promontory. Some 

 ice had drifted down upon this cape, which 

 we feared might check our progress ; but, 

 as the evening was fine, we ventured upon 

 pushing the canoes through the small chan- 

 nels formed among it. After pursuing this 

 kind of navigation, with some danger and 

 more anxiety, we landed, and encamped on 

 a smooth rocky point ; whence we perceived, 

 with much satisfaction, that the ice consisted 

 only of detached pieces, which would be 

 removed by the first breeze. We sounded 

 in seventeen fathoms, close to the shore, this 

 day. The least depth ascertained by the 

 lead, since our departure from the river, 

 was six fathoms ; and any ship might pass 

 safely between the islands and the main. 

 The water is of a light green colour, but 

 not very clear ; and much less salt than that 

 of the Atlantic, judging from our recollec- 

 tion of its taste. In the course of the day 

 we saw geese and ducks with their young, 

 o 2 



