[Sidenote: Tuesday, 4th.] By six in the morning of the 4th the boats were all laden, and ready for departure. It was impossible not to be struck with the difference between our present complete state of equipment and that on which we had embarked on our former disastrous voyage. Instead of a frail bark canoe, and a scanty supply of food, we were now about to commence the sea voyage in excellent boats, stored with three months' provision. At Dr. Richardson's desire the western party embarked first. He and his companions saluted us with three hearty cheers, which were warmly returned; and as we were passing round the point that was to hide them from our view, we perceived them also embarking. Augustus was rather melancholy, as might have been expected, on his parting from Ooligbuck, to proceed he knew not whither; but he recovered his wonted flow of spirits by the evening.
The western party were distributed as follows:--
John Franklin, _Captain R.N._ George Back, _Lieutenant R.N._ William Duncan, _Cockswain_. Robert Spinks, _Cockswain_. Thomas Matthews, _Carpenter_. Robert Hallom, _Corpl. of Marines_. Gustavus Aird, _Bowman_. Charles Mackenzie, _Bowman_. George Wilson, _Marine_. Alexander Currie, _Middle Man_. Archibald Stewart, _Soldier_. Robert Spence, _Ditto_. Neil Mac Donald, _Voyager_. Alexis Vivier, _Canadian_. Augustus, _Esquimaux_. François Felix, _Ditto_.
Our course was directly towards the Rocky Mountain range, till we came near the low land that skirts its base; where, following the deepest channel, we turned to the northward. I was desirous of coasting the main shore, but finding some of the westernmost branches too shallow, we kept on the outside of three islands for about twelve miles, when we entered the channel that washes the west side of Simpson's Island. It was winding, and its breadth seldom exceeded a quarter of a mile. During our progress we occasionally caught a glimpse of the Rocky Mountains, which was an agreeable relief to the very dull picture that the muddy islands in our neighbourhood afforded. We halted to breakfast just before noon, and observed the latitude 67 degrees 51 minutes N.
In the afternoon one deer was seen, and many swans and geese; we did not fire at them, for fear of alarming any Esquimaux that might be near. Encamped at eight P.M., opposite Simpson's Island, in latitude 68 degrees 13 minutes N., longitude 134 degrees 27 minutes W. The boats were secured without discharging the cargoes, and two men were placed on guard, to be relieved every two hours.