LAST VOYAGE OF CAPT, ROSS. 
147 
however on getting through the passage, the land was discovered 
to run to the south east, and, as was supposed, clear water to it. 
They therefore kept the land on board on the starboard side, as 
this point to the south east was about three points on the larboard 
bow. They continued to sail until mid-day, when from an 
observation taken from the fore topsail yard, a complete body of 
ice was seen stretching all the way to the southeast, and where 
they had flattered themselves that a passage was to be found, it 
was discovered to be entirely blocked up with heavy ice, and 
according to all appearance the land seemed to be joined to it. 
In a short time it was ascertained that the pack of ice was 
stationary, which annihilated at once every hope of effecting a 
passage in that quarter. The principal object now in view, was 
to discover a harbour where the ship could be laid up for the 
winter. The ship was made fast to a berg, but finding it not 
very safe, they cast off and made fast to a better, which had been 
discovered by Commander Ross in the whale boat, and which 
in the place of another harbour proved for the time a very ser¬ 
viceable one. It was however evident to Capt. Ross and his 
officers, that no time was to be lost in fixing upon a harbour for 
the winter, and therefore Commander Ross and himself set forth on 
an expedition in the whale boat, but returned unsuccessful. During 
their excursion they saw the print of a bear’s foot, which on being 
measured was found to be thirteen inches and a half in breadth, 
and fourteen inches and a half in length. They also saw the 
impression of the feet of several animals, such as the ermine, 
fox, hare and deer. The object however which attracted their 
notice most particularly, and to which they attached a peculiar 
interest, was the remains of an Esquimaux hut, which had been 
very recently built, and which enlivened them with the hope 
that a tribe of that people inhabited some of the adjacent coasts, 
and that they should be enabled to establish a friendly intercourse 
with them during the winter; it was also considered as of 
peculiar importance, in consequence of the information which 
might be obtained from them of the geography of the neighbour¬ 
ing countries, and the probable existence of the passage of which 
they were in search. 
