362 



A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



CHAPTEK X. 



Navigation of the Polar Sea, in two Canoes, as far as Cape Turnagain, to the Eastward, a 

 distance exceeding Five Hundred and Fifty Miles — Observations on the probability of a 

 North- West Passage. 



July 20. We intended to have embarked early this morning, and 

 to have launched upon an element, which was more congenial 

 with our habits than the fresh- water navigations, and their nume- 

 rous difficulties and impediments we had hitherto encountered, but 

 which was altogether new to our Canadian voyagers. We were 

 detained, however, by a strong north-east gale, which continued the 

 whole day, with constant thunder showers ; the more provoking as 

 our nets procured but few fish, and we had to draw upon our 

 store of dried meat ; which, with other provision for the journey, 

 amounted only to fifteen days' consumption. Indeed, we should 

 have preferred going dinnerless to bed rather than encroach on our 

 small stock, had we not been desirous of satisfying the appetites, 

 and cheering the spirits, of our Canadian companions at the com- 

 mencement of our voyage. These thoughtless people would, at any 

 time, incur the hazard of absolute starvation, at a future period? 

 for the present gratification of their appetites ; to indulge which 

 they do not hesitate, as we more than once experienced, helping 

 themselves secretly ; it being, in their opinion, no disgrace to be 

 caught in the act of pilfering food. 



Our only luxury now was a little salt, which had long been our 

 substitute both for bread and vegetables. Since our departure from 



