186 



THE COAST. 



appeared desirous of receiving, and which would 

 ameliorate their condition through a scriptural 

 hope of a future life. 



We returned to the Factory, along a coast 

 the most dangerous to navigate that can possibly 

 be conceived, from fragments of rocks being 

 studded in the water for miles from the shore, 

 and which are only visible at the reflux of the 

 tide. The safest course to take is to run out 

 to sea, and sail along out of sight of land ; but 

 this is hazardous in an open boat, if the weather 

 be stormy, or the water is much ruffled by the 

 wind. The Company lost a boat's crew last 

 fall, as they were returning to Churchill, from 

 one of the points of rock where they had been 

 to collect geese, which the Indians had shot, 

 and which are salted as part of the winter 

 supply of provisions at the Establishment. At 

 first it was supposed that the boat had been 

 driven out to sea, and all had perished in a 

 most painful manner ; but during our stay, an 

 Indian came to the Fort, to inform the officer 

 that the empty boat was lying on the beach, 

 about six or seven miles to the south of 

 Churchill River. He immediately sent men to 

 the spot, and to search along the coast for 

 some remains at least of the bodies of the crew, 

 but not the least appearance of them could be 



