338 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CHAP, repass the straits ; together with the state of our provisions, and the 
_ ^ improbability of meeting with Captain Franklin- after all, it appeared 
Oct to me that the risks which it involved were greater than the uncer- 
tainty of the result justified ; and painful as it was to relinquish every 
hope of this successful issue of our voyage, it became my duty to do so. 
In the execution of this necessary resolution, it was some consolation 
to reflect, that from the nature of Captain Franklin’s instructions, it 
was almost certain that by this time he had either commenced his 
return or taken up his winter abode. He had been directed to return 
to his winter quarters on the 15th of August, if he found the prospect 
of success was not such as to ensure his reaching Icy Cape that season, 
and if it should prove impracticable to winter at an advanced station 
on the coast. We were justified, therefore, in supposing that he had 
already been either compelled to pause or to turn back, as, in the event 
of the successful prospect anticipated in his instructions, it could hardly 
happen, considering the open state in which we had found the sea to 
the northward, that he should not have reached Kotzebue Sound by 
the time the Blossom left it. 
In taking our departure from these seas, some general observations 
on the country, the natives, the currents, meteorology, and other sub- 
jects, naturally present themselves ; but as we returned to the same 
place the following year, and extended our experience, I shall defer 
them until a future opportunity. 
Up to this period of the voyage, my instructions had been a safe 
guide for my proceedings ; but between our departure from these seas, 
and our return to them the following year, with the exception of touch- 
ing at the Sandwich Islands, there were no specific directions for my 
guidance, and it became me seriously to consider how the time could 
be most usefully employed. It was necessary to repair to some port to 
refit and caulk the ship, to replenish the provisions and stores, and, 
what was equally important, to recruit the health of the people, who 
were much debilitated from their privations ; having been a considerable 
time on short allowance of salt provision, and in the enjoyment of only 
seven weeks’ fresh meat in the last ten months. 
From the favourable account I had heard of Saint Francisco in Cali- 
