1741. 



channel's mouth BYRON. 



325 



however, freshened to ci gale, and they were obliged to run 

 before it, and throw all their provisions overboard to lighten 

 the boat. 



At night they took refuge in a small opening, which led to 

 a secure harbour, and next day advanced a little farther, till 

 they reached some small islands, where they were detained three 

 or four days by bad weather. 



After leaving that place, they found an opening, into which 

 they rowed, flattering themselves it would prove to be a pas- 

 sage; but, being disappointed, they were obliged to return. 

 This was probably the inlet, called ' Channel's Mouth.' 

 Xavier Island was the next place they went to, named by 

 them Montrose Island. Byron describes this island so ex- 

 actly, that there cannot be the least doubt of its identity. " The 

 next morning," he says, " being calm, we rowed out ; but 

 as soon as clear of the island, we found a great swell from the 

 westward : we rowed to the bottom of a very large bay, which 

 was to northward of us, the land very low, and we were in 

 hopes of finding some inlet through, but did not ; so kept along 

 shore to the westward. This part, which I take to be fifty 

 leagues from Wager Island, is the very bottom of the large 

 bay it lies in. Here was the only passage to be found, which 

 (if we could by any means have got information of it) would 

 have saved us much fruitless labour. Of this passage I shall 

 have occasion to say more hereafter."' — Byron's Nar. p. 74. This 

 is evidently San Quintin Sound. They proceeded to the west- 

 ward and northward, entered a larger bay (Holloway Sound), 

 and discovered another headland at a great distance to the 

 westward (Cape Tres Montes), which they reached with much 

 difficulty ; but being unable to get round it, and losing the 

 boat that accompanied them, besides being obliged to leave four 

 of the marines behind, they became quite disheartened, and 

 returned to Wager Island, to linger out their miserable lives, 

 without the least prospect of again seeing home. This 

 expedition occupied two months, during which they lived 

 principally upon sea- weed, called ' tangle ;' but sometimes 

 passed whole days without eating anything at all. While they 



