PACIFIC AND BEERING’S STRAIT. 
255 
late in the summer, several streams descend, and are very convenient CHAP 
for procuring water. Detached from Chamisso, there is a steep rock 
which by way of distinction we named Puffin Island, composed of 
mouldering granite, which has broken away in such a manner that 
the remaining part assumes the form of a tower. During the period of 
incubation of the aquatic birds, every hole and projecting crag on the 
sides of this rock is occupied by them. Its shores resound with the 
chorus of thousands of the feathery tribe ; and its surface presents a 
curiously mottled carpet of brown, black, and white. 
In a sandy bay upon the western side of the peninsula we found a 
few Esquimaux who had hauled up their baidars, and erected a tem- 
porary hut ; they were inferior in every respect to those we had seen 
before, and furnished us with nothing new. In this bay we caught 
enough salmon, and other fish, to give a meal to the whole of the ship’s 
company, which was highly acceptable; but we had to regret that 
similar success did not attend our subsequent trials. 
By my instructions, I was desired to await the arrival of Captain 
I ranklin at this anchorage ; but in a memoir drawn up by that officer 
and myself, to which my attention was directed by the Admiralty, it 
Was arranged that the ship should proceed to the northward, and sur- 
vey the coast, keeping the barge in shore to look out for the land party, 
and to erect posts as signals of her having been there, and to leave 
directions where to find the ship. 
I was also desired to place a small party in occupation of Chamisso 
Island during the absence of the ship ; but this spot proved to be 
so different from w'hat we imagined, being accessible in almost every 
quarter, instead of having only one landing place, that a small party 
Would have been of no use if the natives were inclined to be hostile, and 
the numerical strength of the crew did not admit of a large detachment 
being spared from her. But in order that Captain Franklin should not 
Want provision in the event of his missing the ship along the coast, and 
arriving at the island in her absence, a tight barrel of flour was buried 
Rpon Puffin Kock, which appeared to be the most unfrequented spot in 
the vicinity, and directions for finding it were deposited in a bottle at 
Chamisso Island, together with such other information as he mio-ht 
