LAST VOYAGE OF CAPT. ROSS. 
397 
On the 9th, the hurricane returned with greater violence 
than on the 7th, and so great was its force, that it was scarcely 
possible to stand on the deck, without clinging to some object 
to prevent being blown over-board ; the rocket was attempted 
to be let off at the regulated hour, but it was blown right off 
the ship, without ascending higher than the top of the main¬ 
mast. The weather moderated a little on the 10th, and the 
crew resumed the labor of unbanking the ship, which was 
found to be a task not so easy of execution ; as the snow, from 
its exposure to the frost during the whole of the winter, had 
assumed a hardness, which rendered the cutting of it similar 
to that of cutting stone. Three Esquimaux came from the 
north; and, at thirty minutes after five, Commander James 
returned in safety, with the whole of his party, Alwak, being his 
avant courier , to announce his approach. They brought with 
them some salmon, and the entrails of rein-deer, the former of 
Which were caught on the preceding August, and had since 
that time been buried under rocks, with several feet of snow 
on the top of them; they also brought with them three canoes, 
one of which was purchased by Capt. Ross. It was the intention 
of Commander Ross to have continued his researches, but his 
provisions fell short, owing in some degree to the extraordinary 
gluttony of his Esquimaux friends; and when he arrived at the 
ship, he had not tasted any food for twelve hours. A lump of 
seal weighing about l‘2tbs., was put into the oven for the 
two Esquimaux, but so greedy were they after food, that they 
would not w r ait until it was thoroughly done, but became so 
importunate to the cook to take it out of the oven, that he at 
last consented; and perhaps a more complete exhibition of 
savage rapacity, was never before witnessed. 
The distance, which Commander Ross travelled on this occa¬ 
sion, was about 70 miles in a S.S.W. direction, but not the 
slightest indication of a passage presented itself. He crossed 
a number of very large lakes, which, according to the report 
of the Esquimaux, abound with salmon of a very fine kind ; and 
it is to these lakes, that they repair in the summer months, for 
the express purpose of carrying on the salmon-fishery, which 
