PACIFIC AND BEERING’S STRAIT. 
301 
surveyed the surrounding country, and found that this side of the CHAP, 
sound also was covered with a deep swampy moss. The summit of > 
this hill, and indeed of all the others that were ascended in the sound, Sept. 
was the only part destitute of this covering. 
The beach was strewed with a great quantity of drift wood, some 
of which was in a very perfect state, and appeared to have been re- 
cently split with wedges by the natives, who had carried away large 
portions of the trunks to make their bows, arrows, and fishing-imple- 
ments. They were all pine-trees except one, which by the bark ap- 
peared to be a silver birch. 
On the 10th we had the satisfaction to see the barge coming down 
to us under a press of canvass, and the most lively expectations were 
formed until she approached near enough to discover that the ap- 
pointed signal of success was wanting at her mast-head. Though 
unfortunate in accomplishing what we most anxiously desired, her 
voyage was attended with advantage. We had the satisfaction to 
learn from her commander when he came on board that he had dis- 
covered a large extent of coast beyond the extreme cape which we had 
seen from the mast-head of the ship on the 15th ultimo, and which 1 
had named after Captain Tranklin ; and had proceeded to the latitude 
of 71° 23' 31" N. and to 156° 21' 30" W., where the coast formed a low 
narrow neck beyond which it was impossible to proceed to the east- 
ward, in consequence of the ice being attached to the land, and extend- 
ing along the horizon to the northward. 
The boat had not been at this point many hours, before the wind 
changed to south-west, and set the whole body of ice in motion toward 
the land. This was a case in which Mr. Elson had received strict orders 
to return immediately, and he accordingly began to retrace his route ; 
but in so doing he found that, in addition to the disadvantage of a con- 
trary wind, he had to contend with a current running to the north-east 
at the rate of three miles and a half an hour, and with large pieces of 
floatinfT ice which he found it very difficult to avoid, until he was 
at last^obliged to anchor to prevent being carried back. It was not 
lono- before he was so closely beset in the ice, that no clear water could 
be seen in any direction from the hills ; and the ice continuing to press 
