CHAP. it and the southern extremity of the ice at the distance of a mile and a
7 7 I*'*'®® 'I calm—Cape Franklin, W. S. YV. one mile.
Niirnitive YY"e were preparing to go on shore to deposit a bottle for Captain
'¿»,¿1 Franklin, which we had not done on our way to the northward, when
a fresh gale suddenly rising at W. S.YY". obliged us to abandon the project,
as not a moment was to be lost in getting out of the bight, lest
the ice (which experience had now taught us was quick in its motion)
might again enclose us. The w'eather continued very unsettled during
the night.
Wednesday, SOth Aug. Having rounded the point, we ran fifty
miles on a S. W. course. The wind then suddenly shifted to the S. W.,
and blew very strong. We shortened sail to the close-reefed mainsail and
storm-jib, and stood off and on shore. In the evening we had showers
of snow and sleet, and at midnight strong gales with squalls of snow.
Thursday, 31st Aug. At two a . m . a heavy squall came on which
split the mainsail, and a little before four the staysail shared the same
fate. Towards the morning the weather was more moderate, accompanied
with rain. Shortly after eight the wind suddenly veered to
W. K. W. and blew strong. Set the close-reefed foresail, and furled
the other sails, steering S. S.W. Noon, more moderate. Latitude observed,
70" 23' N. The remainder of the day was fine.
Friday, 1st Sept. Our stock of wood and water being expended, we
hauled towards the land and made all sail; but as we drew in, the wind
gradually decreased in strength, and before we obtained sight of the land
it was almost calm. The breeze, however, again favoured us, and about
sunset we reached within a short distance of the shore, on that part
where the high land recedes from the coast. The boat was soon despatched
to procure what we wanted; but in our thirsty moments we
did not perceive that the pool from which we procured the water was
brackish ; having, however, filled our casks with it, and obtained some
fuel, we again put to sea, with the wind from the southward.
Saturday, 2d Sept. Working along shore. Noon calm and fine.
Sent the boat on shore to get a supply of better water. Found all the
pools near the beach very brackish ; from which wc concluded that the
recent westerly gales had thrown the surf so high that it became
(ill
minted with the water of the lakes, and we determined to have re- CHAP.
course to the first running stream we should come to. About two the
wind again came from the southward, and at four we had every pro- Narrat.ve
spect of a gale from that quarter. It therefore became necessary to Barge,
carry a heavy press of sail all night to obtain an anchorage as near Cape
Lisburn as possible, so that in the event of the wind shifting to the
westward we might be able to get out of the bay. , .
On Sunday, as had been anticipated, it blew a strong gale, but the
boat made good weather of it until eight p. m., when the bowsprit broke,
and obliged us to anchor : Cape Lisburn YV. N.YV. six leagues Stron^
gales, with heavy gusts of wind off the land continued until four p. w.,
at which time the weather being more moderate, we weighed under
close-reefed sails, and stood towards the cape, Mr. Elson wishing to be
near an entrance to a lake which was situated a mile or two east o
Cape Lisburn, in which he thought the boat might find shelter, should
it blow hard from the westward. On arriving at tins spot, we found
to our surprise, that the entrance w'hich Mr. Elsoir had
examined in the barge’s little boat was quite filled up, and that theie
was not the slightest appearance of there ever having been one. In the
evening the wind became light and variable. Anchored-the cape
YV S YY". four miles. , , ,
■ Monday, 4th Sept. It again blew strong from the southward, and
at nine v M. the wind increased so much as obliged us to let go another
anchor to prevent being driven to sea. In the afternoon it again relaxed,
but by midnight resumed its former violence.
Tuesday, Sth Sept. The wind somewhat subsiding this morning,
completed our wood and water. YVhilst thus employed a native came
over the hills and trafficked with us. Afterwards he stole from one of the
crew some tobacco, and made off. The theft was not discoverod until he
was a long way distant and running, being evidently aware of the crime
he had committed. At noon a baidar with eleven natives came round the
cape and visited us. The wind continued strong from the southwaid,
but being anxious to proceed, as our provisions were be^nning to
grow short, weighed and stood towards the cape under the toresail and
staysail only. At two we got within the influence of the variable winds,