Fort Chepewyan was, for eight years, the head quarters of Mr.
(now Sir Alexander) Mackenzie, who held an official situation under the
North-west Company; and who, from this place, made two important and
laborious excursions, one northward, to the Frozen Sea; and the other
westward, to the Pacific Ocean.
_Narrative of a Voyage from Fort Chepewyan, along the Rivers to the
north Frozen Ocean. From Voyages through the Continent of North America,
by_ ALEXANDER MACKENZIE.
In the first of his excursions, Mr Mackenzie embarked at _Fort
Chepewyan_, about nine o'clock in the morning of the 3d of June, 1789.
His vessel was a canoe formed of birch-bark, and his crew consisted of
one German and four Canadians, two of whom were attended by their wives.
He was also accompanied, in a small canoe, by an Indian chief and his
two wives. The men were engaged to serve in the twofold capacity of
interpreters and hunters.
Mr. Mackenzie had also with him a canoe which he had equipped for the
purpose of trade, and had given in charge to M. Le Roux, one of the
Company's clerks. In this canoe was shipped part of his provision, the
clothing necessary on the voyage, a requisite assortment of articles of
merchandise as presents, to ensure them a friendly reception among the
Indians; and such arms and ammunition as were considered necessary for
defence, as well as for the use of the hunters.
Crossing the south-western extremity of the _Lake of the Hills_, they
entered the _Slave river_, and steered, along that river, in a northerly
direction. On the ensuing day they arrived at the foot of a succession
of rapids; and, in the course of twelve miles, were obliged five times
to unload the canoes, and carry the luggage considerable distances
overland. One of the Indian canoes was borne, by the fury of the
current, down the last of the cataracts, and was dashed to pieces. The
hunters here killed seven geese, four ducks, and a beaver. The progress
of the boats was much impeded by ice.
The banks of the river, both above and below the rapids, were covered
with wood. This was more particularly the case on the western side,
where the land was low, and had a black and rich soil. The eastern banks
were somewhat elevated; and the soil was a yellow clay, mixed with
gravel. At a little distance from the banks were extensive plains,
frequented by numerous herds of buffaloes; and the woods, adjacent to
the river, were inhabited by elks and rein-deer. The habitations of
beavers were seen in all the small lakes and rivers; and the swamps
adjacent to the Slave-river, were sometimes covered with wild-fowl.
In the morning of the 9th the voyagers arrived at the _Great Slave
Lake_. Here they experienced a most uncomfortable change in the weather,
which became extremely cold. The lake was still frozen; and they were
obliged to delay their progress for several days, until they could
effect a passage across it. In the mean while they occupied themselves
in fishing and hunting, for the purpose of adding to their stock of
provisions. They had more or less rain almost every day.
On the 20th the ice had somewhat given way, and they recommenced their
voyage, in a north-westerly direction. A few days after this, they
landed on the main land, at three lodges of _Red-knife Indians_, so
called from the copper knives which they use. M. le Roux purchased, of
these Indians, some packs of beaver and marten-skins; and Mr. Mackenzie
had several consultations with them concerning the country he was about
to traverse; but he could obtain from them no information that was
important to the objects of his expedition. He, however, engaged one of
them, as a guide, in navigating the bays of the lake.
The musquitoes were now so troublesome as to occasion the voyagers much
inconvenience. After having, with considerable difficulty, navigated the
northern side of the lake, they entered the mouth of a river, which lay
in a westerly direction. On the 2d of July, they perceived, at a
distance before them, a high mountain, or rather a cluster of mountains,
which stretched southward, as far as the view could reach, and had their
tops lost in the clouds. The declivities of these mountains were covered
with wood; and they were sprinkled with glistening patches of snow,
which, at first, Mr. Mackenzie mistook for white stones.
During their progress the voyagers saw several Indian encampments. The
current, in some places, was so rapid as to produce a hissing noise,
somewhat like the boiling of a kettle. Though it was now the month of
July, the weather was extremely cold. The sun set at seven minutes
before ten, and rose at seven minutes before two in the morning.
Having passed several islands, and, not long afterwards having seen, on
the northern shore, the smoke of several fires, the voyagers made every
exertion to approach the spot; and, as they drew near, they observed a
party of Indians, running about in great apparent confusion. Some of
them were endeavouring to escape into the woods, and others were
hurrying to their canoes. The hunters landed, and, in the Chepewyan
language, addressed the few who had not escaped; but, so great was their
terror, that they did not appear to understand it. When, however, they
found it was impossible to conceal themselves, they made signs to the
strangers to keep at a distance. With these the latter complied, and not
only unloaded their canoe, but pitched their tents, before the Indians
made any attempt to approach them. After considerable difficulty they
became reconciled; and, as soon as their fears were dissipated, they
called their fugitive companions from the woods.
The inhabitants of this place were five families of _Slave_ and _Dog-rib
Indians_. They were unacquainted with the use of tobacco and ardent
spirits; but were delighted to receive, as presents, knives, beads,
awls, rings, fire-steels, flints, and hatchets; and, after a little
while, they became so familiar, that it was difficult to keep them out
of the tents.
These Indians seemed totally ignorant respecting the distant parts of
the river, for they believed its course to be so long that it would
occupy the voyagers several years to reach the sea. They also described
the intervening regions to be inhabited by monsters of the most horrid
shapes and destructive powers. One of them, however, by the bribe of a
small kettle, an axe, a knife; and some other articles, was induced to
accompany the voyagers as a guide.
They amused the strangers by dancing and singing; but neither the dance
nor the song had much variety. The men and women arranged themselves
promiscuously in a ring. The former had each a bone-dagger, or a piece
of stick, between the fingers of his right hand, which he kept extended
above his head, in continual motion; while he held his left in an
horizontal direction. They leaped about, and threw themselves into
various antic postures, to the measure of their music, bringing their
heels close together at every pause. Sometimes the men howled, like wild
beasts; and he who continued to howl the longest, appeared to be
considered the best performer. The women suffered their arms to hang
down, as if they were without the power of motion.
These people are of middle stature, thin, ugly, and ill made,
particularly about the legs. Many of them appeared to be in a very
unhealthy state, owing, probably, to their filthiness. As far as could
be discerned, through the grease and dirt that covered them, they were
of fairer complexion than the generality of Indians. The women have two
double lines of black or blue colour upon each cheek, from the ear to
the nose; and the gristle of the nose is perforated, so as to admit a
goose-quill, or a small piece of wood to be passed through it. The
clothing of these Indians is made of the dressed skins of the rein or
moose-deer. Some of them, says Mr. Mackenzie, were decorated with a neat
embroidery of porcupine-quills and hair, coloured red, black, yellow,
and white; and they had bracelets for their wrists and arms, made of
wood, horn, or bone. Round their head they had a kind of band,
embroidered with porcupine quills, and ornamented with the claws of
bears and wild-fowl.
Their huts or lodges are very simple. A few poles, supported by forks,
and forming a semicircle, with some branches or pieces of bark as a
covering, constitute the whole of the architecture. Two of these huts
are constructed facing each other, and a fire is made between them.
Among the furniture are dishes of wood, bark, or horn; and vessels in
which they cook their food, narrow at the top, and wide at the bottom.
The latter are formed of roots of the spruce fir-tree, so closely
interwoven as to hold water. This people have also small leather bags,
to hold their embroidered work, their lines, and fishing-nets. They
twist the fibres of willow-bark, and the sinews of rein-deer, into
fishing-lines; and they make fishing-hooks of horn, wood, or bone. Their
weapons for hunting are bows and arrows, spears, daggers, and clubs.
They kindle fire, by striking together a piece of white or yellow
pyrites and a flint-stone, over a piece of touchwood.
Their canoes are small, pointed at both ends, flat-bottomed, and covered
in the fore part. They are made of the bark of the birch-tree, and of
fir-wood; but are so light, that the man whom one of these vessels bears
on the water, is able to carry it overland, without any difficulty.
On the 9th of July the voyagers had an interview with a party of
Indians, who were more pleasing, both in appearance and manners, than
any they had hitherto seen. They were stout, healthy, and clean in their
persons; and their utensils and weapons resembled those of the Slave and
Dog-rib Indians. They obtained iron, in small pieces, from the
Esquimaux. Their garments were bordered with a kind of fringe; and their
shirts tapered to a point, from the belt downward. One of the men whom
Mr. Mackenzie saw, was clad in a shirt made of the skins of musk-rats.
These Indians tie their hair in a very singular manner. That which grows
on the temples, or on the fore part of the head, is formed into two
queues, which hang down before the ears: and that on the crown of the
head, is fashioned, in the same manner, towards the back of the neck,
and is tied, with the rest of the hair, at some distance from the head.
The women, and indeed some of the men, suffer their hair to hang loose
on their shoulders.
Mr. Mackenzie prevailed with one of these Indians to accompany him on
his voyage; and this man, who was one of the most intelligent Indians he
had seen, stated that it would be requisite to sleep ten nights before
they could reach the sea; and that, after three nights, the voyagers
would reach a settlement of Esquimaux, with whom his nation had formerly
made war.
He accompanied Mr. Mackenzie in a canoe; and two of his companions
followed in two other canoes. The latter sung their native songs; and
this new guide was so much enlivened by these, that the antics he
performed, in keeping time to the singing, excited continual alarm lest
he should overset his boat. He afterwards went on board Mr. Mackenzie's
canoe, where he began to perform an Esquimaux dance, to the no small
alarm of the voyagers.
Lower down the river, Mr. Mackenzie had an interview with a party of
Indians called _Quarrellers_. They consisted of about forty men, women,
and children, and, at first, seemed inclined to offer resistance; but
they were soon pacified by presents, of which blue beads were the most
acceptable articles.
These Indians represented the distance, over land, to the northern sea,
as not very great; and the distance to the sea, westward, (the Pacific
Ocean,) to be still shorter.
The river here flowed between high rocks. Indeed, in this part of the
country, the banks were, in general, lofty. In some places they were
nearly naked, and in others thickly clad with small trees, particularly
fir-trees and birch. The tops of the mountains, towards the north, were
covered with snow. The channels of the river were so various, that the
voyagers were at a loss which to take. They, however, directed their
course chiefly towards the north-west.
In this part of the voyage, Mr. Mackenzie was induced to sit up all
night, for the purpose of observing the sun: which, at half-past twelve
o'clock, was considerably above the horizon.
At four in the morning he landed at three Indian huts. These were of an
oval form, each about fifteen feet long, and ten feet wide; and in the
middle, only, they were high enough for a person to stand upright. In
one part of each the ground was strewed with willow branches, probably
as a bed for the family. The door or entrance was about two feet and a
half high, and had a covered way or porch, five feet in length; so that
it was necessary to creep on all fours, in order to get into or out of
these curious habitations. In the top of each hut there was a hole,
about eighteen inches square, which served the threefold purpose of a
window, a chimney, and occasionally a door. These edifices were formed
of wood, covered with branches and grass. On each side of the huts were
a few square holes in the ground, probably contrived for the
preservation of the winter stock of provisions.
On the 12th of July, the voyagers had reached what they imagined to be
an immense lake; and, shortly after they had retired to rest, at night,
the man on watch called them up, to remove the baggage, on account of
the sudden rising of the water. Some fish were afterwards caught, about
the size of a herring, and resembling a species of fish which abounds in
Hudson's Bay. On the ensuing day, Mr. Mackenzie ascended an adjacent
hill, and saw much ice; and, towards the north-west, two small islands
in the ice. On the 14th, many animals were seen in the water, which, at
first, were supposed to be pieces of floating-ice, but which were
afterwards ascertained to be whales. Hence it became evident that this
apparent lake was a part of the _Northern Ocean_. Mr. Mackenzie sailed
upon it, to some distance from the shore, and landed at the eastern
extremity of an island, which he called _Whale Island_, and which was
about seven leagues in length, but not more than a mile broad. The
ebbing and flowing of the tide were here observed. He subsequently
landed on another island, where an Indian burying-place was observed.
The latitude of the shore of this northern ocean, was ascertained to be
69 degrees 14 minutes, north; and the longitude 135 degrees, west.
_Narrative of the Return of_ MR. MACKENZIE _from the Frozen
Ocean to Fort Chepewyan._
This gentlemen embarked, on his return, at half-past one o'clock, of the
21st of July, the weather being extremely cold and unpleasant. At ten,
the canoes re-entered the river; but the opposing current was so strong,
that the men were obliged, for a considerable distance, to tow them
along. The land on both sides was elevated, and almost perpendicular.
Much rain fell.
Mr. Mackenzie subsequently encamped near an Indian village, the
inhabitants of which were at first considerably alarmed. They
afterwards, however, became familiar. Some of them, having kindled a
fire, laid themselves round it, to sleep; and, notwithstanding the
excessive coldness of the climate, they had neither skins nor garments
to cover them.
The people of this nation are continually at variance with the
Esquimaux, who are said to take every opportunity of attacking them,
when not in a state to defend themselves. From their account it appeared
that a strong party of Esquimaux occasionally ascended the river, in
large canoes, to search for flint-stones, which they used as points for
their spears and arrows. These Esquimaux were said to wear their hair
short; and to have a hole perforated on each side of their mouth, in a
line with the under lip, and to place beads in the holes, by way of
ornament. Their weapons were bows, arrows, and spears; but they also
used slings, from which they threw stones with great dexterity.
The weather was now fine; and Mr. Mackenzie and his men renewed their
voyage on the 27th of July. At seven o'clock they once more reached the
rapids. Here they found three families of Indians, from whom they
obtained some information respecting the adjacent country, and
particularly respecting a river which was stated to run on the opposite
side of the mountains, in a westerly direction; and which, from the
description given of it, Mr. Mackenzie conjectured to be that called
_Cook's River_.
At a subsequent interview, with another party of Indians, a
misunderstanding took place, in which the Indians seized one of Mr.
Mackenzie's boats, and dragged it on shore. Peace, however, being
restored, Mr. Mackenzie endeavoured to obtain some further intelligence
concerning the river to the westward. His enquiries, however, were to
little purpose. The account given by these Indians was very vague; and
their description of the inhabitants of the country adjacent to it, was
extremely absurd. These, it was stated, were of gigantic stature, and
furnished with wings; which, however, they never employed in flying:
that they fed on large birds, which they killed with the greatest ease;
though common men would be the certain victims of the voracity of such
birds. The Indians also described the people who inhabited the mouth of
the river, as possessing the extraordinary power of killing with their
eyes; and as each being able to devour a large beaver at a single meal.
They added that canoes, or vessels of immense size, visited that place.
They did not, however, pretend to relate these particulars from their
own observation, but from the report of other Indians; for they had
themselves never ventured beyond the first range of mountains, from
their own dwellings. It, however, appeared to Mr. Mackenzie that, either
the Indians knew more of this country than they chose to communicate, or
that his interpreter, who had long been tired of the voyage, gave him
purposely a wrong account, in order that he might not be induced to
extend his excursions.
As soon as the conference was ended, the Indians began to dance; and, in
this pastime, old and young, male and female, continued their exertions,
till their strength was exhausted. Their actions were accompanied by
various noises, in imitation of the rein-deer, the bear, and the wolf.
When the dancing was ended, Mr. Mackenzie assumed an angry tone,
expressed his suspicions that information had been purposely withheld
from him; and concluded with a threat, that if they did not give him a
more satisfactory account, he would compel one of them to accompany him,
for the purpose of pointing out the road to the other river. No sooner
did they hear this declaration, than they all, in a moment, became sick;
and answered, in a faint tone, that they knew no more than what they had
already communicated. Finding it useless to persevere in his enquiries,
he ceased them; and having purchased a few beaver-skins, and obtained a
plentiful supply of food, he continued his voyage.
On the 1st of August, the weather was clear and cold. This was the first
night, for many weeks, that the stars had been visible. Nine days
afterwards, they arrived in the vicinity of a range of lofty mountains.
Accompanied by a young Indian, Mr. Mackenzie landed, for the purpose of
ascending one of them. They passed through a wood, chiefly of
spruce-firs, so thick that it was with difficulty they could penetrate
it. After they had walked more than an hour, the underwood decreased;
and was succeeded by birch and poplar trees, the largest and tallest
that Mr. Mackenzie had ever seen. The mountains, which had been
concealed, by the woods, from their view, were again visible, but,
apparently, at as great a distance as when they were first seen from the
river. This was a very mortifying circumstance, for Mr. Mackenzie and
his companion had been walking nearly three hours. The Indian expressed
great anxiety to return; for his shoes and leggings had been torn to
pieces, and he was alarmed at the idea of having to proceed all night,
through this trackless country. Mr. Mackenzie was, however, determined
to proceed, and to return the next day. As they approached the
mountains, the ground became marshy; and they waded, in water and grass,
up to their knees, till they came within a mile of them; when, suddenly,
Mr. Mackenzie sank, up to his armpits, in mud and water. Having, with
considerable difficulty, extricated himself, he found it impossible to
proceed any further. To cross this unexpected morass was impracticable;
and it extended so far, both to the right and left, that he could not
attempt to make the circuit of either extremity. He therefore determined
to return; and, about midnight, he again reached the river, excessively
fatigued with his fruitless expedition.
In the afternoon of the 13th, the voyagers continued their route, and
with very favourable weather. They passed several places, where fires
had recently been made; and beyond these, they observed a party of
Indians, drawing their canoes on the beach, and endeavouring to escape
into the woods. These had been so much terrified, by the appearance of
the strangers, and the report of their guns, in shooting wild-geese,
that they left, on the beach, several weapons and articles of dress. Mr.
Mackenzie directed his men to go into the woods, in search of them, but
in vain; for they had fled too rapidly to be overtaken.
The voyagers had, for some time, subsisted chiefly on fish, which they
had caught in their nets, and on deer and other game, which the hunters
had killed.
On Saturday, the 12th of September, at three o'clock in the afternoon,
they again arrived at _Fort Chepewyan_; and thus concluded an arduous
voyage, which, in the whole, had occupied the space of one hundred and
two days.
_The Western Coast of America, from California to Behring's Strait._
On the western coast of North America, and lying between the
twenty-second and thirty-second degrees of latitude, is a very singular
promontory, near seven hundred miles in length, called _California_. It
is at present subject to Spain; and is separated from New Mexico, by the
_Gulf of California_, an arm of the sea, which is navigable by vessels
of the largest size. The general surface of the country is barren,
rugged, overrun with hills, rocks, and sand-banks, and unfit for
agriculture. But, in a few places, where the Spanish missionaries have
established settlements, the lands are fertile, and singularly
productive of maize, barley, and peas. The plains, in the interior, are
noted for the production of rock-salt.
The Indians of California are very expert in the use of the bow, and
subsist chiefly by hunting and fishing. Their skin is dark, and they
paint their bodies, by way of ornament: they also pierce their ears, and
wear in them trinkets of various kinds. The wealthiest of them wear
cloaks made of sea-otter skins, which cover the loins, and reach below
their middle. Others, however, have only a piece of cloth round their
waist, and a little cloak, formed of rabbit-skin, which covers their
shoulders, and is tied beneath the chin. The huts of these Indians are
the most miserable that can be imagined. Their form is circular; and
about six feet wide and four feet high. In the construction of them,
stakes, eight or ten feet long, are driven into the ground, and are
brought together so as to form an arch at the top; and trusses of straw,
badly arranged upon these stakes, defend the inhabitants from the wind
and rain.
Near the Spanish settlement of _Monterey_, in north latitude 30 degrees
35 minutes, M. de la Perouse, the French navigator, states that the soil
is tolerably fertile and productive; and the climate is mild, though
foggy. This part of California produces, in abundance, olives, figs,
pomegranates, grapes, and peaches; the trees of which have all been
planted by the missionaries. Beyond Monterey, the interior of the
country is covered with immense forests of pines and other trees.
North of California is _New Albion_, a country so called by Sir Francis
Drake, who originally discovered it in the year 1578. It was visited
about two hundred years afterwards, by Captain Cook. The country is
mountainous; and, during the winter and spring, the mountains are
covered with snow. The valleys and the grounds along the sea-coast, are
clad with trees, and appear like a vast forest.
Captain Cook sailed northward along the coast of New Albion, and
anchored his vessels in an inlet called _Nootka Sound_. The inhabitants
of the adjacent country approached his ships, and offered for sale the
skins of various animals; garments of different kinds, some of fur, and
others formed of the bark of trees. But, of all the articles brought to
market, the most extraordinary, were human skulls, and hands not quite
stripped of their flesh, some of which had evident marks of having been
upon the fire. The articles which the natives took, in exchange for
their commodities, were knives, chisels, pieces of iron and tin, nails,
looking-glasses, buttons, or any kind of metal. Though the commerce was,
in general, carried on with mutual honesty, there were some among these
people who were much inclined to theft. And they were extremely
dangerous thieves; for, possessing sharp iron instruments, they could
cut a hook from a tackle, or any other piece of iron from a rope, the
moment that the backs of the English were turned; and the dexterity with
which they conducted their operations of this nature, frequently eluded
the most cautious vigilance. In the progress of the commerce, they would
deal for nothing but metal; and, at length, brass was so eagerly sought
for, in preference to iron, that, before the navigators quitted the
place, scarcely a bit of brass was left in the ships, except what
belonged to the different instruments. Whole suits of clothes were
stripped of every button; bureaus were deprived of their furniture;
copper-kettles, tin-canisters, candlesticks, and whatever of the like
kind could be found, all were seized and carried off.
On Captain Cook's first arrival in this inlet, he had honoured it with
the name of _King George's Sound_; but as it was called _Nootka_, by the
natives, the latter appellation has since been generally adopted. The
climate appeared to be much milder than that on the east coast of
America, in the same parallel of latitude. With regard to trees, those
of which the woods are chiefly composed, are the Canadian pine and white
cypress; of the land animals, the most common were bears, deer, foxes,
and wolves. The sea animals, which were seen off the coast, were whales,
porpoises, seals, and sea-otters. Birds, in general, were not only rare
as to the different species, but few in number.
With respect to the inhabitants, their persons are generally under the
common stature; but they are usually full or plump, though without being
muscular. From their bringing to sale human skulls and bones, it may be
inferred that they treat their enemies with a degree of brutal cruelty.
To the navigators, however, they appeared to be a docile, courteous, and
good-natured people. The chief employments of the men, were those of
fishing, and of killing land or sea animals for the sustenance of
themselves and their families; while the women were occupied in
manufacturing flaxen or woollen garments, and in other domestic offices.
North of Nootka Sound is _Port St. Francois_, which was visited by M. de
la Perouse. There is, at this place, a deep bay which affords a safe
anchorage. During three or four months of the year, vegetation near Port
St. Francois is vigorous. In the interior of the country are forests of
stately trees; and mountains of granite rise from the sea, and to such
an elevation that their summits are capped with snow. Some of the
highest mountains were computed by M. de la Perouse, to be ten thousand
feet in perpendicular height.
The inhabitants of this part of America are more robust, and better
proportioned, than the Californians. The faces of the women are,
however, disfigured by having, through the under lip, a piece of wood,
by way of ornament. They paint their body and face, tatoo themselves,
and pierce their ears and the cartilage of their nose, for the purpose
of placing ornaments in them. Their food consists chiefly of game and
fish. Their huts, or cabins, are constructed of rushes, or the branches
of trees, and are covered with bark. The weapons of the men are bows,
javelins, and daggers. The women are chiefly employed in domestic
concerns: their dress consists of a leathern shirt, and a mantle of
skins; and their feet are generally naked.
The inhabitants of the country, adjacent to an inlet which Captain Cook
named _Prince William's Sound_, appeared to have a strong resemblance to
the Esquimaux and Greenlanders. Their canoes, their weapons, and their
implements for fishing and hunting, are exactly similar, in materials
and construction, to those used in Greenland; and the animals are, in
general, similar to those that are found at Nootka. Humming-birds
frequently flew about the ships while at anchor. Waterfowl were in
considerable abundance: but torsk and holibut were almost the only kinds
of fish that were caught. Vegetables were few in number; and the trees
were chiefly the Canadian and spruce pine.
North of Prince William's Sound, Captain Cook entered an inlet, which,
it was hoped, would be found to communicate either with Baffin's or
Hudson's Bay to the east; but, after an examination of it, to the
distance of seventy leagues from the sea, it was proved to be a river.
It is now called _Cook's River_.
The inhabitants who were seen during the examinations of this river,
appeared to resemble those of Prince William's Sound. They essentially
differed from those of Nootka Sound, both in their persons and language.
The only articles seen among them, which were not their own manufacture,
were a few glass beads, the iron points of their spears, and their
knives of the same metal. A very beneficial fur-trade, might be carried
on with the inhabitants of this vast coast; but, without a practical
northern passage, the situation is too remote to render such a trade of
any advantage to Great Britain.
A long peninsula, called _Alyaska_, extends, from the mouth of Cook's
River, in a westerly direction; and, from its extremity a chain of
islands stretches almost to the coast of Asia. The main land was
observed, by Captain Cook, to be mountainous; and some of the mountains
towered above the clouds. One of them, of conical shape, was discovered
to be a volcano: smoke issued from its summit.
Northward of Alyaska is a promontory to which Captain Cook gave the name
of _Cape Newenham_. At this place he directed one of his lieutenants to
land: this gentleman ascended the highest hill within sight, but from
its summit he could not see a tree or shrub of any description. The
lower grounds, however, were not destitute of grass and herbage.
At the entrance of _Behring's Strait_, is a point of land which Captain
Cook called _Cape Prince of Wales_, and which is remarkable as being the
most westerly extremity of America hitherto explored. It is not forty
miles distant from the coast of Siberia. From near this place, Captain
Cook crossed to the opposite shore of Asia; and he continued to traverse
the Frozen Sea, in various directions, and through innumerable
difficulties, till, at length, the increase of the ice prevented his
further progress northward, and he returned into the Pacific Ocean.
Twenty-fifth Day's Instruction.