fhore about 2 or 3 leaguesto the n.e. from the entrance of port Difco-
—*--- ' very, we rounded a low projecting point, and though the fog prevented
our feeing about us, yet there was no doubt of our having entered fome
other harbour or arm in the inlet that took a fouthwardly direction. Here
I propofed to wait until, the weather lhould be more favorable, and in
the mean time to haul the feine; which was done, along the beach to
the fouthward, with little fuccefs.
Profecuting our labours as filhermen along the beach, we were led
near a point fimilar to that we had palled, and diftant from it about two
miles ; here the fog intirely difperting afforded an opportunity o f afcer-
taining its latitude to be 48° 7' 30", -its longitude 2370 A very fpacious
inlet now prefented itfelf, whofe n . e . point, in a line with its s.w.,
being the point from which we had laft departed, bore by eompafs N.
25 w . and feemed about a league afunder : mount Baker bore N. 26 e . ;
a fteep bluff point oppofite to us, appearing to form the weft point of
another arm of this inlet, s. 87 e. about 4 miles diftant; the neareft
eaftern Ihore s. 50 e'. about 2 miles; and a very remarkable high round
mountain, covered with fnow, apparently at the fouthern extremity of
the diftant range o f fnowy mountains before noticed,' bore s. 45 E. :
the Ihores of this inlet, like thofe in port Difcovery, Ihoot out into feve-
ral low, fandy, projecting points, the fouthernmoft of which bore s. g e .
diftant about 2 leagues, where this branch of the inlet feemed to terminate,
or take fome other direction. Here we dined, and having taken
the neceffary angles, I direCled Mr. Puget to found the mid-channel,
and Mr. Johnftone to examine the larboard or eaftern Ihore, whilft- I
continued my refearches on the continental fhore, appointing the fouthernmoft
low point for our next rendezvous. As we advanced, the
country feemed gradually to improve in beauty. The cleared fpots
were more numerous and of larger extent; and the remote lofty mountains
.covered with fnow, reflefted greater luftre on the fertile productions
of the lefs elevated country. On arriving near our place of rendezvous
an opening was feen, which gave to the whole of the eaftern fhore
under the examination of Mr. Johnftone, the appearance of being an
ifland. For this we fleered, but found it clofed by a low fandy neck of
land.
land, about two hundred yards in width, whofe oppofite' fhore was wafhed J792-
by an extenfive fait lake; or more probably by an- arm of the fea ftretching t_— „—
to the s. E. and direCling its main branch towards the high round fnowy
mountain we had difcovered at noon: but. where its entrance was fituated.
we could not determine, though conjeCture led to fuppofe it would
be found round the bluff point o f land we had obferved from our
dinner ftation.
In the weftern corner of this ifthmus was fituated a deferted
Indian village,-;much in the fame ftateeof decay.as that which we
had examined at the head o f - port Difcovery. No figns o f any inhabitants
were difcernible; nor did we vifit it, it being expedient
we fhould haften to our appointed ftation as night was faft approaching,
during which Mr. Johnftone did not join us ; this led us to
fuppofe he had found fome entrance into the above lake or inlet that had
efcaped my notice ; and which afterwards proved to have been the caufe of
his abfence. Having determined the extent o f this inlet, whofe fouth
extremity is fituated in latitude 47°59', longitude 237° 3 1 '; at day-break,
the next morning, we embarked in purfuit of the entrance into the lake
or inlet that we had difcovered the preceding evening. About this time,
we heard and anfwered the report o f a fwivel gun. A very ftrong run
o f Water was now obferved, but being brackifh we were under the ne-
ceflity of carrying our kegs near a mile into the country to replenifh
them, not having found any frefh water fince we left the {hips. Whilft
we were thus engaged, Mr. Johnftone came up. He had found a
narrow channel into the inlet which had flattered him with returning
by the ifthmus that had oppofed our progrefs ; but to his great mortification
he found it clofed, and was obliged to keep rowing , the greater
part of the night, in order that he might join us by the fame paffage
he had entered, which he had now juft effefiled. Its fouthern entrance
was found to be navigable for fmall boats only, from half flood to half ebb,
and was dry at low water; but as its northern part formed a fnug little
port, and, with its tide, feemed likely to be made ufeful in careening;
Mr. Johnftone was induced to profecute its examination. The furvey of
this inlet, which had occupied our time fince the preceding day at noon,
V o l . I. II h , having
(