351 
LAST VOYAGE OF CAPT. ROSS. 
particularly, as it was very seldom that leave of absence could 
be obtained from the ship for any purposes of a private nature. 
Their offer in this respect being declined, they left the ship with 
the two seals, and it was not suppossd that any thing more 
would be heard of them that day. Shortly after their departure, 
Capt. Ross returned, having shot two grouse, but which he 
would not have found, but for a dog, which he had bought of 
the natives. Scarcely however had he returned, and retired to 
his cabin to recover himself from his fatigue, than the Esqui¬ 
maux again made their appearance, bringing with them the 
skins of the two seals, which it appear they had taken to some 
distance from the ship, and there skinned them, leaving their 
carcasses to be taken up by them on their return to the huts. 
Their intentions were however on this occasion frustrated, for 
the sailors were bound in obedience to the orders of Capt. Ross, 
to apprize him of the visit of the Esquimaux, and at the same 
time to report to him the articles, which they had brought. At 
the sound of the seal skins, the Captain rose from his seat, 
and in a very short time, they formed an addendum to his al¬ 
ready extensive stock. 
It was expected that Mr. Thoms and Mr. Mc’Diarmid would 
have arrived from their walk in time for dinner, but the hour 
arrived, and no signs of them could be seen from any part of the 
ship. Some serious apprehensions began to be entertained for 
their safety, as their intended route was attended with some 
danger, it being over the ice to two islands, which lay to the 
eastward. It was now completely dark, and still no appearance 
of the travellers. An offer was made by some of the crew to 
go in search of them, but the darkness was then so great, that 
Capt. Ross considered that the attempt could not be attended 
with any good effect, but with considerable danger to the lives 
of the men. No signs of them presenting themselves, at 7 
o’clock, Capt. Ross ordered a gun to be fired, and to be con¬ 
tinued every twenty minutes, and that blue lights should be 
burned during the whole of the night. The firing was continued 
until a quarter before ten, when the voices of the stragglers 
were heard, hailing the ship, and great was the joy when they 
