LAST VOYAGE OF CAFT. ROSS. 
485 
snow, from the northward and the westward. The ship was 
hanked up as during’ the preceding winter, and a snow deck 
was raised as a protection against the violence of the weather. 
Snow walls were also built about the ship, and an observa¬ 
tory was commenced on the highest hill in the immediate vici¬ 
nity of the harbour. The powder was got out of the ship, for 
fear of fire, and the boats housed up, and covered with snow, to 
keep them from renting, A spar was placed on a high hill as a 
flag-staff, for the purpose of guiding the Esquimaux to the ship, 
whose visits, during the preceding winter, had, in many in¬ 
stances, been highly acceptable, as they were the purveyors of 
different kinds of food, and of materials, from w 7 hich the winter 
clothing was to be made. Fn fine weather a flag was hoisted on 
the spar ; but it was necessary to keep a constant watch upon it, 
as it was an object, which the Esquimaux women had a 
great desire to obtain possession of, as an ornament round their 
necks. 
On the 30th October, the sun took his departure for three 
months: and trebly steeled as the heart may be, and competent 
to bear up with fortitude against the accidents and casualties 
of life, there was something most trying to the feelings, in the 
thought, that the great luminary, which dispenses light and 
cheerfulness upon the earth, was to be a stranger to them for 
three months, and they removed from all the comforts, which 
could render life desirable. 
As it was considered necessary to re-establish the intercourse 
with the natives, for various reasons, but particularly on account 
of the regular supply of food, which they were in the habit of 
bringing for the dogs, Capt. Ross took the earliest opportunity 
of visiting the old harbour, where he drew upon the boilers, 
which were left on the ice, some figures, and a large hand, as a 
guide to the natives to their new station: when, however, the 
trifling distance is considered, which the second harbour was 
from, the first, it was not likely that a roving people like the 
Esquimaux, would not discover the vessel; for, although she 
might not be exactly visible from Felix Harbour, the sound of her 
guns, which were now and then fired for experimental purposes, 
