On Wednesday, the 23rd May, the Forward resumed her adventurous navigation, skillfully tacking so as to keep clear of packs and bergs, thanks to her steam, that obedient power that has been so often wanting in Arctic ships.
The temperature was rising. At 6 a. m. the thermometer stood at 26 deg., at 6 p. m. at 29, and at midnight 25. A light breeze was blowing from the south-east.
About three o'clock on Thursday morning the Forward came in sight of Possession Bay, on the coast of America, and soon afterwards caught a glimpse of Cape Burney. Several Esquimaux were making hard for the ship, but Hatteras had no time to waste waiting for them. The puffins, and ducks, and white gulls were very numerous; and in the distance the snowy hoods of the Catherine and Elizabeth mountains were visible above the clouds.
On Friday, at six o'clock, Cape Warender was passed on the right, and Admiralty Inlet on the left. There was a strong sea, and heavy waves frequently dashed over the bridge.
Hatteras would have liked to keep along the northern coast for the sake of reaching Beechey Isle sooner, but an impenetrable barrier of ice barred his further progress in that direction, and he was, to his great vexation, forced to go by the south.
This was the reason why the Forward found herself on the 26th at Cape York, easily recognized by a lofty and almost perpendicular mountain which overlooks it. The latitude was found on observation to be 74° 4", and the longitude 84° 23".
Hatteras opened the map, and pointed out to the Doctor the routes they had been taking and meant to take.
"We are in cross roads, may call it," he said, "open to the wind on all sides. Here is Lancaster Sound, Regent Inlet, Wellington Channel, and Barrow's Straits."
"It is a wonder to me how navigators know which route to take, when they have all four to choose from."
"Believe me there is little choice in the matter Sometimes Barrow's Straits are closed one year and open the next, and sometimes there is no passage at all but through Regent's Inlet."
"How the wind blows!" said the Doctor, drawing his hood closer over his ears."
