OF THE POLAR SEA. 



249 



iron materials for them ; and embarking 

 without delay, prepared to retrace our 

 steps.* Our men, cheered by the prospect 

 of returning, showed the utmost alacrity ; 

 and, paddling with unusual vigour, carried 

 us across Riley's and Walker's Bays, a dis- 

 tance of twenty miles, before noon, when 

 we landed on Slate-Clay Point, as the wind 

 had freshened too much to permit us to 

 continue the voyage. The whole party 

 went to hunt, but returned without success 

 in the evening, drenched with the heavy 

 rain which commenced soon after they had 

 set out. Several deer were seen, but could 

 not be approached in this naked country ; 

 and as our stock of pemmican did not admit 

 of serving out two meals, we went dinner- 

 less to bed. 



Soon after our departure this day, a 

 sealed tin-case, sufficiently buoyant to float, 



* It is a curious coincidence that our Expedition 

 left Point Turnagain on August 22d, — on the same 

 day that Captain Parry sailed out of Repulse Bay. 

 The parties were then distant from each other 539 

 miles. 



