266 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CHAP. SO considerable a rate. By sinking the patent log first five fathoms, 
and then three fathoms, and allowing it to remain in the first in- 
August, stance six hours, and in the latter twelve hours, it was clearly as- 
certained that there was no current at either of those depths ; but 
at the distance of nine feet from the surface the motion of the water 
was nearly equal to that at the top. Hence we must conclude that 
the current was superficial, and confined to a depth between nine and 
twelve feet. 
By the freshness of the water alongside there is every reason to be- 
lieve that the current was occasioned by the many rivers which, at this 
time of the year, empty themselves into the sea in different parts of 
the coast, beginning with Schismareff Inlet. The specific gravity of the 
sea off that place was 1.02502, from which it gradually decreased, and at 
our station off the point was 1.0173, the temperature at each being 58°. 
On the other hand, the strength of the stream had gradually increased 
from half a mile an hour to three miles, which was its greatest rapidity. 
So far there is nothing extraordinary in the fact ; but why this body of 
water should continually press to the northward in preference to taking 
any other direction, or gradually expending itself in the sea, is a ques- 
tion of considerable interest. 
In the afternoon the barge was discovered at anchor, close in shore, 
and being favoured with a breeze the ship was brought close to the 
point. This enabled me to land, accompanied by Mr. Collie, who, while 
1 was occupied with my theodolite, went toward the huts, which at first 
appeared to be deserted ; but as he was examining them several old 
women and children made their appearance, and gave him a friendly 
reception. He brought them to me, and we underwent the full delights 
of an affectionate Esquimaux salutation. 
The persons of our new acquaintance were extremely diminutive, 
dirty, and forbidding. Some were blind, others decrepit ; and, dressed 
in greasy worn-out clothes, they looked perfectly wretched. Their hos- 
pitality, however, was even greater than we could desire ; and we were 
dragged away by the wrists to their hovels, on approaching which we 
passed between heaps of filth and ruined habitations, filled with stink- 
ing water, to a part of the village which was in better repair. We were 
