P.M. Our men went out in their
kayaks, and returned in the evening with three seals. The night was
fair, with beautiful appearances of the Aurora Borealis.

19th. The morning was calm: some indications of approaching storm made
us anxious to proceed. We set out early; but a fog coming on, we came
again to an anchor off a barren island. After staying here two hours,
hoping for a favourable change, Jonathan proposed to proceed, and
steered S.W. not knowing rightly where we were. On this occasion, we
could not help admiring the composure of the Esquimaux. But having last
night made a hearty meal of the provisions they had acquired, they
seemed to take things easy, and thought it would all be right in the
end. So it turned out; for by and by we saw the continent, and kept
along shore, till we got to the promontory _Kakkeviak_, where, on our
passage, we had nearly suffered shipwreck. (See page 38). Here we cast
anchor in a wide shallow bay, and spent a quiet night.

20th. The fog had dispersed, and the wind was favourable, though
shifting from W. to N.W.N. and N.E. At 7 P.M. we reached _Kumaktorvik_
and found good anchorage close to the Esquimaux winter-houses; but we
were disappointed by finding them empty, the people being probably out
on the reindeer-hunt. There were four houses standing, apparently not
old, and the traces of eight others, situated on a low point of land,
well covered with grass, and surrounded by high mountains.

21st. Wind N.W. set sail by break of day; reached _Nennoktok_ about
noon, and steered across _Sangmiyok_ bay, for the northern promontory in
_Nachvak_ bay. Sangmiyok bay is full of breakers, and the sea running
pretty high, they appeared very distinctly. The wind dying away in the
afternoon, we got no farther than the steep rocks under which we had
spent the night of July the 18th, where we came to an anchor. A heavy
swell from the sea, and violent gusts of wind assailing us in all
directions from the mountains gave us much uneasiness; but, by the
protecting care of God, we suffered no harm.

22d. It blew hard from the N.W. and prevented our running into Nachvak
bay. Our situation being highly dangerous, and the wind favouring our
proceeding, we determined to pass by Nachvak. But having sailed across
the bay, our captain found it impossible to proceed, and thought proper
to come to an anchor. The truth was, that he had left some articles here
in a cove, which he wished to secure. We therefore