well-calculated to withstand the cold, as well as to defy musketry.
The native allies, who live in huts outside, are filthier than any Esquimaux; arising, doubtless, from their life of inactivity, resulting from doubtful dependence. On my return to the ship, I found that a boat-load of salmon had been sent, which afforded the crew a fresh meal, of a pound and a half of salmon per man.
A survey of the port was effected, malgré the unfavourable state of the weather, and our astronomical and magnetic observations were secured. I had completed my observations at a small island which I had selected for a station, but was at a loss for a mark, and had directed a tree near me, which was deprived of bark, to be felled for this purpose. I had barely time to arrest the sacrilegious order on perceiving letters on its sides, and easily traced
PORT ETCHES. SHIP KING GEORGE.
NATH. PORTLOCK, COMMR.
JULY 22, 1787.
On my return on board, I found in Mavor's edition of Portlock and Dixon's Voyage, Portlock notices having trimmed and marked a tree on Garden island in this manner.
At present the island is covered with pine trees: we could not trace any remains of plants differing from those on the nearest land. The surface of the Garden must have been very small, nor did the grass and mould in any part exceed six inches in depth.
