380 A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



we landed, and sent St. Germain and Adam in pursuit of them, 

 who soon killed three which were very small and lean. Their 

 appearance, however, quite revived the spirits of our men, who 

 had suspected that the deer had retired to the woods. It 

 would appear, from our not having seen any in passing along 

 the shores of Bathurst's Inlet, that at this season they confine 

 themselves to the sea-coast and the islands. The magpie berries 

 (arbutus alpina ) were found quite ripe at this place, and very 

 abundant on the acclivities of the hills. We also ascended the 

 highest hill, and gained a view of a distant chain of islands, 

 extending as far as the eye could reach, and perceived a few 

 patches of ice still remaining near to some of them ; but in every 

 other part the sea was quite open. Kesuming our voyage after 

 noon, we proceeded along the coast, which is fringed by islands ; 

 and, at five P.M., entered another bay, where we were for some 

 time involved in our late difficulties by the intricacy of the pas- 

 sages ; but we cleared them in the afternoon, and encamped near 

 the northern entrance of the bay, at a spot which had recently been 

 visited by a small party of Esquimaux, as the remains of some eggs, 

 containing young, were lying beside some half-burnt fire-wood. 

 There were also several piles of stones put up by them. I have 

 named this bay after my friend. Captain David Buchan, of the 

 Koyal Navy. It appears to be a safe anchorage, being well sheltered 

 from the wind and sea by islands ; the bottom is sandy. Its shores 

 are high, and composed of red sand-stone. Two deer were seen on 

 its beach, but could not be approached. The distance we made 

 to-day was eighteen miles and three-quarters. 



Embarking at four on the morning of the 12th, we proceeded 

 against a fresh piercing north-east wind, which raised the waves to a 

 height that quite terrified our people, accustomed only to the navi- 

 gation of rivers and lakes. We were obliged, however, to persevere 

 in our advance, feeling, as we did, that the short season for our 



