OP THE POLAR SEA.

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CHAPTER XI.

Navigation of the Polar Sea, in taro Canoes, as far as Cape Tnrr*again, to the Eastward, a distance exceeding Five Hundred andFifty Miles—Observations on the probability of a North-WestPassage..

is?). We intended to have embarked early thisJ idy 20. morning, and to have launched upon anelement more congenial with our habits thanthe fresh-water navigations, with their nu-merous difficulties and impediments which wehad hitherto encountered, but which was alto-gether new to our Canadian voyagers. We weredetained, however, by a strong north-east gale,which continued the whole day, with constantthunder showers; the more provoking as ournets procured but few fish, and we had to drawupon our store of dried meat; which, with otherprovision for the journey, amounted only to fifteendays’ consumption. Indeed, we should havepreferred going dinnerless to bed rather thanencroach on our small stock, had we not beendesirous of satisfying the appetites, and cheeringthe spirits of our Canadian companions at thecommencement of our voyage. These thought-less people would, at any time incur the hazardVol. II. o