OF THE POLAR SEA. 



385 



was equally obvious that as our distance from any of the trading 

 establishments would increase as we proceeded, the hazardous 

 traverse across the barren grounds, which we should have to make, 

 if compelled to abandon the canoes upon any part of the coast, 

 would become greater. 



I this evening communicated to the officers my sentiments on 

 these points, as well as respecting our return, and was happy to find 

 that their opinions coincided with my own. We were all convinced 

 of the necessity of putting a speedy termination to our advance, as 

 the hope which we had cherished of meeting the Esquimaux and 

 procuring provision from them, could now scarcely be entertained ; 

 but yet we were desirous of proceeding, until the land should be 

 seen trending again to the eastward ; that we might be satisfied of 

 its separation from what we had conceived, in passing from Cape 

 Barrow to Bathurst's Inlet, to be a great chain of islands. As it was 

 necessary, however, at all events, to set a limit to our advance, I 

 announced my determination of returning after four days' exami- 

 nation, unless, indeed, we should previously meet the Esquimaux, 

 and be enabled to make some arrangement for passing the winter 

 with them. This communication was joyfully received by the men, 

 and we hoped that the industry of our hunters being once more 

 excited, we should be able to add to our stock of provision. 



It may here be remarked that we observed the first regular return 

 of the tides in Warrender's and Parry's Bays ; but their set could 

 not be ascertained. The rise of water did not amount to more 

 than two feet. Course to-day south one quarter east— nine miles 

 and a quarter. 



August 16.— Some rain fell in the night, but the morning was 

 unusually fine. We set forward at five A.M., and the men paddled 

 cheerfully along the coast for ten miles, when a dense tog caused us 

 to land on Slate-clay Point. Here we found more traces of the 



