426 
LAST VOYAGE OF CAPT. ROSS. 
his course, which happened to be directly opposite to that, 
by which he had come from Shagerwak. 
The ship now began to assume the character of a place of 
active operations : for, whilst some of the crew were employed 
about the boat, the carpenter was busy in making a sledge, and 
the Engineer in constructing a cooking apparatus, which was 
to be made from the remains of the ill-fated steam engine. On 
the 10th, Commander Ross went to one of the lakes to sound, 
and try for salmon. The depth was found to be only seventeen 
fathoms. A line, with some hooks, was let down the hole, 
which Commander Ross had made, and if the report of the na¬ 
tives were true, they had every expectation of catching some 
salmon, which were represented to be of the finest quality. Two 
of the crew were sent, with the deep-sea clamm, to try for 
soundings, and they reported to have found the bottom at ninety- 
four fathoms, with hard blue clay. 
From the 12th to the 15th, the crew were busily employed in 
making the necessary preparations for a long journey, which it 
was intended to make to the westward, and to comprise two 
separate parties, taking different routes, but meeting at a par¬ 
ticular time and place, to be determined upon by Commander 
Ross. A boat was made of skins, as being the lightest ma¬ 
terial, and which, in default of planks, would be found the least 
impervious to water, and transportable with comparatively 
little difficulty. A sledge was also made for the boat to xide 
on, and each man was provided with a haversack, well stocked 
with provisions. Early on the morning of the 17th, the party 
left the ship, with a sledge and four dogs: and, on the evening 
of the second day, Commander Ross left, with his party, con¬ 
sisting of eight men, with five dogs and a small sledge: the 
weight, which the five men had to drag, was 773 pounds. An 
agreement had been made with two Esquimaux, to attend this 
expedition in the capacity of guides; and it was in the hope 
of their arrival, that Commander Ross postponed his departure 
until late in the evening. They, however, for some reason un¬ 
known, broke their agreement; although the reward, which 
was promised them, would, it was supposed, have induced them 
