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"After sailing twelve miles, our progress was completely stopped by the
ice adhering to the shore, and stretching beyond the limits of our
view to seaward. We could not effect a landing until we had gone
back some miles, as we had passed a sheet of ice which was fast
to the shore; but at length a convenient spot being found, the
boats were hauled up on the beach. We quickly ascended to
the top of the bank to look around, and from thence had the
mortification to perceive that we had just arrived in time to
witness the first rupture of the ice. The only lane of water in
the direction of our course was that from which we had been
forced to retreat: in every other part the sea appeared as firmly
frozen as in winter; and even close to our encampment the
masses of ice were piled up to the height of thirty feet. Discouraging
as was this prospect, we had the consolation to know
that our store of provision was sufficiently ample to allow of a
few days’ detention. The coast in this part consists of black earth, unmixed with stones of any kind, and its general elevation is from sixty to eighty feet, though in some places it swells into hills of two hundred and fifty feet. A level plain, abounding in small lakes, extends from the top of these banks to the base of a line of hills which lie in front of the Rocky Mountains. The plain was clothed with grass and plants, then in flower, specimens of which were collected." |
