Page:Voyage of discovery to the North Pacific Ocean, and round the world in the years 1791-95, volume 2.djvu/290

Rh ing In a fouth-eaflerly, and the other in a north-caderly direflion. I had acquainted Mr, Johnllone, that I (liould profccute the examination of tlic north-eaftern branch, whilfl; he was employed in the other, if 1 met with no indications of his having preceded mc. After quitting this point, we landed to breakfaft on the before mentioned point of the continental fhore, and there found, either left by accident or deiign, one of our kegs, which proved that Mr. Johnftonc had reached that fpot before us. In its bung-hole I left a note fimilar to the former. The weather was now fercne and pleafant. With a gentle foutluwc.ft breeze, after breakfaft, w ninucd to examine the north-cafl branch, and at noon I obferved the de in its entrance to be 52° 19' 30"; whence point Menzics will iv found to lie in 52° 18' 30"; being 4' fur- ther north than the latitude afhgned to that point on our former vifit ; but its longitude did not appear to require any correftion. On the north point of entrance into this branch I left a third note for Mr. Johnftonc, left he fhould not at this time have finiflicd his fouth- eaftern furvey, and fliould hereafter purfue the examination of tliis arm, dire6ling him as before to return home, as the whole extent within the li- mits of his intended excurfion would now fall under my own inveftigation. From hence we dire6led our courfe over to the eaftern fhore, where, obferving a fire on the beach amongft the drift wood, we landed, and not only found evident figns of Mr. Johnftone's party having recently quitted the beach, but on a tree was written with a burnt ftick, " Gone by." Any further attempts here on our part became therefore ufelefs. That branch extended to the fouth-eaft, and from the light colour of the water we had paftisd through this morning, there was no doubt it had terminated in the ufual way. In our progrefs to this ftation, we had pafTed five openings on the larboard or continental ftiore. Our attention was now direfted o thefe objefts, and having dined, we returned by the fame way we had come, and relied for the night near our lodging of the preceding evening. The appearance of the country we had pafTcd by, varied in no refpe6l from what has already been frequently defcribed, excepting that the maple, bircli, crab, and other fmall trees, feemed to be more numerous.

June.