The dwellings of these people were seated close to the beach.  They consist simply of a sloping roof, without any side-walls, composed of logs, and covered with grass and earth.  The floor is also laid with logs; the entrance is at one end; the fire-place just within it, and a small hole is made near the door to let out the smoke.

After breakfast, a party of men were sent to the peninsula for brooms and spruce.  At the same time, half the remainder of the people in each ship had leave to go and pick berries.  These returned on board at noon, when the other half went on the same errand.  The berries to be got here were wild currant-berries, hurtle-berries, partridge-berries, and heath-berries.  I also went ashore myself, and walked over part of the peninsula.  In several places there was very good grass; and I hardly saw a spot on which some vegetable was not growing.  The low land which connects this peninsula with the continent is full of narrow creeks; and abounds with ponds of water, some of which were already frozen over.  There were a great many geese and bustards; but so shy, that it was not possible to get within musket-shot of them.  We also met with some snipes, and on the high ground were partridges of two sorts.  Where there was any wood, musquitoes were in plenty.  Some of the officers, who travelled farther than I did, met with a few of the natives of both sexes, who treated them with civility.

It appeared to me, that this peninsula must have been an island in remote times; for there were marks of the sea having flowed over the isthmus.  And even now, it appeared to be kept out by a bank of sand, stones, and wood, thrown up by the waves.  By this bank, it was evident, that the land was here encroaching upon the sea, and it was easy to trace its gradual formation.

About seven, in the evening, Mr King returned from his expedition; and reported, that he proceeded with the boats about three or four leagues farther than the ships had been able to go; that he then landed on the west side; that, from the heights, he could see the two coasts join, and the inlet to terminate in a small river or creek, before which were banks of sand or mud; and every where shoal water.  The land, too, was low and swampy for some distance to the northward; then it swelled into hills; and the complete junction of those, on each side of the inlet, was easily traced.

From the elevated spot on which Mr King surveyed the Sound, he could distinguish many extensive valleys, with rivers running through them, well wooded, and bounded by hills of a gentle ascent and moderate height.  One of these rivers to the N.W. appeared to be considerable; and from its direction, he was inclined to think, that it emptied itself into the sea at the head of the bay.  Some of his people, who penetrated beyond this into the country, found the trees larger the farther they advanced.[6]

[Footnote 6:  Here Mr Arrowsmith’s map is to be preferred, as accurately following the description Captain King has given.  Several names are omitted by Mr Coxe, and his delineation of the coast is rather unsatisfactory.—­E.]