A V O Y A G E O F D I S C O V E R Y
which were now hourly expefted, Oiould take Mr. Whidbey in. one of
them, and proceed immediately to thé invefligatiön of that arm of this
inlet, which we had paffed on the eaftern fhore, ftretching to the n . n . e . ;
and I defired that the Chatham might be anchored within its entrance
in feme conlpicuous place on the ftarboard- fide, where the Difcovery or
the boats .would eafily find her, in cafe the refiilt o f my inquiries Ihould
render it expedient for the veffels to proceed further in that dire&ion.
On Saturday morning, accompanied by Mr. Baker in the yawl, and
favored by pleafant weather and a fine northerly gale, we departed and
made confiderable progrefs. Leaving to the right the opening which
had been the objeft of Mr. Puget and Mr. WKidbey’s expedition, we
direfted our route along (be weftern fhore o f the main inlet, which is
about a league in width; and as we proceeded the fraoke of feveral fires
Were feen on its eaftern fhore. When about 4 leagues on a foutherly di-
reftion from the fhips, we found the courfe of the inlet take a fouth
wefterly inclination, which we purfued about fix miles with feme little
increafeof width. Towards noon we landed on a point on the eaftern
fhore, whofe latitude I obferved to be 47'’ at', round which we flattered
ourfelves we fhould find the inlet take an extenfive eaftwardly courfe.
This conjecture was fupported by the appearance of a : very abrupt di-
vifion in the fnowy range o f mountains immediately to the fouth of
mount Rainier, which was very confpicuous from the fhip, and the
main arm of the inlet appearing to ftfetch in that direftion from the
point we were then upon. We here dined, and although our repaft
was foon concluded, the delay was irkfeme, as wë were exceflively anxious
to afcertain the truth, o f which we were not long held in fufpenfe.
For having paffed round the point, we found the inlet to terminate here
in an extenfive circular compafl bay, whofe waters wafhed the bafe of
mount Rainier, though its elevated fummit was yet at a very confiderable
diftance from the fhore, with which it was connefted by feveral
ridges of hills riling towards it with gradual afcent and much regularity.
The foreff trees and the feveral fhades of verdure that covered the hills
gradually decreafed in point of beauty until they became invifible; when
the perpetual clothing of fnow commenced, which feemed to form a
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