LAST VOYAGE OF CAPT. ROSS. 
501 
s’ecp. The object of this expedition was to obtain some musk oxen, 
and to explore the land which runs to Cook’s Basin. This bay, 
or basin, lay to the northward of the ship, with a long- point of 
land running out to the eastward, which made the point bear 
north-east from the ship. From the entrance to the head of the 
bay, was about 37 miles, but there were a number of very fine 
rivers, which emptied themselves into it; the description of one 
of which, will be given in a future part of this work. Cook’s 
Basin lay about 38 miles due north from the ship, and it was 
supposed by going to the head of this bay, there would be found 
a narrow neck of land, or perhaps a passage. 
On the 12th, some seal skins were delivered to the party, for 
the purpose of making some travelling shoes; and on the 34th, 
some of the Esquimaux dresses, which had been purchased of 
the natives, the preceding winter, and stowed away in the flour 
tubs, w-ere given to the crew, in order to make of them a deer 
skin covering for the party, whilst sleeping in the snow house; 
lor, at this time of the year, during the travelling expeditions, it 
was found necessary to build a snow house at every stage or 
resting place. 
The 14th of April was Commander Ross's birth-day, being 
then 31 years old; it was celebrated in the cabin, and the crew 
had each of them an extra allowance of grog. 
On the 18th, the provisions for the travelling party, were all 
weighed and stowed away in the mat sacks ; and on the fol¬ 
lowing day, nine hands were sent forward about two miles, with 
the sledge. On the 20th, all hands were up as early as half past 
two in the morning ; and having partaken of a hearty breakfast, 
at half past three they set out on their excursion. - 
The carpenter was now set to wrnrk to make a large sledge, 
as the one generally -in use, was found not to be sufficiently 
large for the conveyance of the articles, particularly the salmon, 
and the musk oxen, which they killed on their different expedi¬ 
tions. The engineer was also employed in making a travelling 
kettle, as Capt. Ross had expressed his intention of taking a 
small excursion in a direction, contrary to that, which Co mm an- 
