to the latitude of 50° 52', longitude 235° 19', where, in the ufual manner,
it terminated by a fmall traft of low land,' from whence a (hallow bank
ftretched into the arm, which foon increafed, from 2 to 50, 70, and t oo
fathoms in depth, and then became unfathomable. Behind this; low
fmall fpot of land, the mountains rofe very abruptly^ divided. by two
deep vallies, whence iffued ftreams of frefh water, though not fufficiently
capacious to admit the boats. In thefe vallies, and on the low plains;
pine-trees grew to a tolerable fize : the few Icon on the mountains, were’
of veiy Hinted growth. High fteep barren rocks, capped with fnow;
formed the {ides of this canal, the water of which at its head was nearly
frefh, and of a pale colour, as was that in the arm where Mr. Puget
met Serf- Valdes. It was noon on the 30th before we reached that part
o f the weftern fhore, which had appeared broken, and on which the
fires o f the natives had been obferved on entering this canal; j which I
diftinguilhed by the name of B u t e ’ s C a n a l . Here was found an Indian
village, fituated on the face of a fteep rock, containing about one
hundred and fifty of the natives, fome few o f whom had vifited our party
in their way up the canal, and now many came off in the moll civil
and friendly-manner, with a plentiful fupply of frefti herrings and other
fi{h, which they bartered in a fair and honeft way for nails. Thefe were
of greater value amongft them, than any other articles our people had
to offer. From the point on which this village is erefted, in latitude
50*24', longitude 235^ 8', a very narrow opening was feen ftretching to
the weftward, and through it flowed fo ftrong a current, that the boats
unable to row againft it, were hauled by a rope along the rocky {hbres
jforming the paffage. In this fatiguing fervice the Indians voluntarily
lent their aid to the utmoft of their power, and were rewarded for their
cordial difinterefted affiftance, much to their fatisfaftion. Having paffed
their narrows, the channel widened, and the rapidity of the tide de-
cfeafedi Mr. Johnftone, in the cutter, had alone been able to pafs ; to
whotn it Was evident that this narrow paffage had communication with
Pome very extenfive inlet of the fea; but, as the weather was now very
boiftcrous, With heavy rain, and a thick haze, and as the launch had
not yet made her appearance, he returned in fearch of her,: and found
the