BEHRING. 61 



success. They now determined to steer eastward, 

 towards the American continent. On the 20th the two 

 ships were separated by a storm, followed by hazy 

 weather. 



On the 18th of July, Behring, while waiting for the 

 other vessel, discovered the American continent, in lat- 

 itude 58 28', and in 50 longitude, from Awatska. Three 

 days before, Captain Tschirikov, who commanded the 

 second vessel, had fallen in with the same coast, at 56 

 latitude, and 50 longitude, from Awatska. He sent on 

 shore his long-boat and shallop with seventeen men, to 

 observe the coast, but neither the one nor the other 

 ever returned. Upon a consultation, in consequence, 

 held on board, it was resolved to return to Kamtschatka. 

 Behring, in the mean time, endeavored to explore the 

 coast he first saw, and to take in water. He set sail on 

 the 21st of July, determined to run as high as 60 north. 

 He found it impossible to advance direct, the coast con- 

 stantly running out to the south-west. He found him- 

 self in a labyrinth of islands which bordered the conti- 

 nent, so that often, when he thought himself clear, he 

 discovered land on the larboard and starboard bow. 

 He was then obliged to drop astern, and find a passage 

 that way, encountering great difficulties from calms and 

 cui rents. 



On the 3d of September, while still among those 

 islands, they discovered some of the inhabitants, by 

 whom they were well received. The natives presented 

 whale's flesh to the Russians, the only provision they 

 had with them, and seemed to desire they would regale 

 themselves. They had been on a fishing expedition, as 

 their canoes were drawn up on the shore ; but no females 

 or habitations were seen, their dwellings probably being 

 on the mainland. They were unarmed. After some other 

 communications with the natives, and encountering 



