LAST VOYAGE OF CAPT. ROSS. 
519 
but saw not the form thereof. 11 No visitor came to cheer the 
lagging moments; no friend dropped in to tell of passing 
events, or share their solitary meal. There were no events 
to tell of; the land was sealed and covered; within each silent 
dwelling was seen to glimmer the lamp, that but seldom dies; 
and deep and dreary was their solitude, as if they were the last 
remnants of the human race. 
Whatever discoveries Commander Ross might have made, 
of a geographical or scientific character, he seemed much disposed 
to keep them within his own breast; he, however, hesitated not 
to communicate the intelligence, that although he had discovered 
a sea to the westward, by which they could extend their voyage 
in that quarter; yet, on the whole, it presented not that favor- 
able appearance, as to entitle him to draw the conclusion, that 
such an uninterrupted navigation could be obtained, as to 
insure the object of the expedition. Still, however, such a dis¬ 
covery had been made, as to inspire Capt. Ross with the hope, 
that as soon as a passage could be effected, from the situation 
in which the Victory then was, their progress to the westward 
might be so far advanced, before the setting in of the ensuing 
winter, as to determine in the most decisive manner, the great 
question, whether they were or were not, in reality, in the 
track for the discovery of the long-sought for passage. 
The Esquimaux, who came to the ship on the 14th, brought 
with them several articles of their merchandize, as their stock 
of fish was quite exhausted. They found a ready market for 
all their articles; as during the course of the preceding winter, 
Capt. Ross found himself under the necessity, of abstracting 
from the flour tubs, some of their contents, in order to meet 
the urgent necessities of the men ; some of whom were literally 
without that supply of warm clothing, which was indispensable 
for their protection against the severity of the cold. 
The quantity of game, which was now daily brought to the 
ship, was in itself sufficient to have supplied all the messes of 
the ship; but, to the great mortification of the crew, a very 
small portion of it indeed found its way to their table. The 
system, however, adopted by the men, was, one of stratagem 
