364 



A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



approach. The islands are rocky and barren, presenting high cliffs of 

 a columnar structure. I have named the westernmost group of 

 those we passed " Berens' Isles," in honour of the Governor of the 

 Hudson's Bay Company; and the easternmost, " Sir Graham Moore's 

 Islands." At the spot where we landed some muscle-shells and 

 a single piece of sea- weed lay on the beach ; this was the only spot 

 on the coast where we saw shells. We were rejoiced to find the 

 beach strewed with abundance of small drift-wood, none of it 

 recent. 



It may be remarked that the Copper-Mine Eiver does not bring 

 down any drift-wood; nor does any other known stream, except 

 Mackenzie's Eiver ; hence, from its appearance on this part of the 

 coast, an easterly current may be inferred. This evening we were 

 all in high glee at the progress we had made ; the disappearance of 

 the ice, and the continuance of the land in an eastern direction, and 

 our future prospects formed an enlivening subject of conversation. 

 The thermometer varied during the day between 43° and 45°. The 

 fishing nets were set, but produced nothing. 



On the 22d we embarked at four A.M., and having the benefit of 

 a light breeze continued our voyage along the coast, under sail, until 

 eleven, when we halted to breakfast, and to obtain the latitude. 

 The coast up to this point presented the same general appearance 

 as yesterday, namely, a gravelly or sandy beach, skirted by green 

 plains ; but as we proceeded, the shore became exceedingly rocky 

 and sterile ; and, at last, projecting considerably to the northward, 

 it formed a high and steep promontory. Some ice had drifted down 

 upon this cape, which, we feared, might check our progress ; but, 

 as the evening was fine, we ventured upon pushing the canoes 

 through the small channels formed among it. After pursuing this 

 kind of navigation, with some danger and more anxiety, we landed 

 and encamped on a smooth rocky point; from whence we perceived, 

 with much satifaction, that the ice consisted only of detached 



