en obtained; and our disappointment may
therefore be imagined, in finding that, owing to insuperable obstacles,
on the road, he had not been able to advance above five or six miles to
the southward, and that with excessive danger and fatigue, owing to the
depth of the snow, and the numerous lakes and precipices.

At nine A.M. on the 2d, Lieutenant Reid and his party were descried at
their landing-place, and a boat being sent for them, arrived on board at
half past eleven. He reported that the ice seemed to extend from Amherst
Island as far as they could see to the westward, presenting one unbroken
surface from the north to the south shore of the strait.

Notwithstanding every exertion on the part of our travellers, their
labours had not thrown much light on the geography of this part of the
coast, nor added any information that could be of practical use in
directing the operations of the ships. The important question respecting
a second passage leading to the westward still remained as much a matter
of mere conjecture as at first; while the advanced period of the season,
and the unpromising appearance of the ice now opposing our progress,
rendered it more essential than ever that this point should, if
possible, be decided. Under this impression it occurred to me, that the
desired object might possibly be accomplished by pursuing the route
along the head or western shore of Richards's Bay, part of which I had
already traversed on my former journey, and found it much less laborious
walking than that experienced by Captain Lyon on the higher and more
rugged mountains inland. I determined, therefore, to make this attempt,
taking with me Mr. Richards and most of my former companions.

This night proved the coldest we had experienced during the present
season, and the thermometer stood at 24 deg. when I left the ships at four
A.M. on the 3d, having previously directed Captain Lyon to remain as
near their present station as might be consistent with safety, and
carefully watch for any alteration that might occur in the western ice.

Being favoured by a strong northwesterly breeze, we reached the narrows
at half past six A.M., and immediately encountered a race or ripple, so
heavy and dangerous that it was only by carrying a press of canvass on
the boat that we succeeded in keeping the seas from constantly breaking
into her. This rippling appeared to be occasioned by the sudden
obstruction which the current meets at the wester