LAST VOYAGE OF CAPT. ROSS. 
421 
On the 2nd. the first snow-bird was seen, which in those la¬ 
titudes is considered as the harbinger of fine w r eather. 
On the 3rd, Mr. Thoms, Mr. Mc’Diarmid, and two of the crew, 
were sent up the north bay, with some provisions for Commander 
Ross; which were to be left at a particular place, where he 
could find them on his journey homewards. With the knowledge 
of the thieving propensity of the natives, and particularly in 
the case of provisions, wherewith they could satisfy their glut¬ 
tonous appetite ; recourse was had, in the present instance, to a 
ruse de guerre , for it was well known, that if the natives dis¬ 
covered the place, where the provisions were stowed away, no 
great part of them would be left for the benefit of Commander 
Ross. About two hours previously to the departure of Mr. Thoms 
and his party, with the stock of provisions, a number of Esqui¬ 
maux came to the ship, but it was entirely a complimentary 
visit, for they brought not with them a single article, either for 
barter or sale. Suspecting that these people might follow 
them, and discover the place, where the provisions were depo¬ 
sited, they were informed, that the spirits, who had the con¬ 
trol over the seals and the walrusses, had demanded from them 
some of their provisions, and that they were now about to comply 
with the demand. If, therefore, any person presumed to take 
away any part of the provisions, the anger and resentment of the 
spirits would be so great, that not a seal or a walrus would be 
allowed to visit the country for some time: this statement 
obtained easy credence, and had the natives been literally in a 
state of starvation, so great is their dread of the spirits, who 
have the command over the seals and walrusses, that not a par¬ 
ticle of the provisions would have been touched. Towards the 
evening, another party of Esquimaux arrived at the ship, bringing 
the intelligence, that Commander Ross had shot a musk-ox, 
and that he would most probably return on the morrow. It was 
nearly dark before Mr. Thoms and his party returned, having 
deposited the provisions in the place agreed upon. 
Early on the following morning at 4 o’clock. Commander 
Ross returned, himself, his companions, and his dogs, literally 
worn out with fatigue. They were obliged to leave all their 
