OF THE POLAR SEA. 237 



pleasure to find the coast trending north- 

 north-east, with the sea in the offing unusu- 

 ally clear of islands ; a circumstance which 

 afforded matter of wonder to our Canadians, 

 who had not previously had an uninterrupted 

 view of the ocean. 



Our course was continued along the coast 

 until eight P.M. when a change in the wind 

 and a threatening thunder squall induced us 

 to encamp ; but the water was so shallow, 

 that we found some difficulty in approach- 

 ing the shore. Large pieces of drift-wood 

 gave us assurance that we had finally escaped 

 from the bays. Our tents were scarcely 

 pitched before we were assailed by a heavy 

 squall and rain, which was succeeded by a 

 violent gale from west-north-west, which 

 thrice overset the tents during the night. 

 The wind blew with equal violence on the 

 following day, and the sea rolled furiously 

 upon the beach. The Canadians had now 

 an opportunity of witnessing the effect of a 

 storm upon the sea ; and the sight increased 

 their desire of quitting it. 



Our hunters were sent out, and saw many 



