BBHRING. 63 



idly diminishing. The labor of the ship became too 

 hard for the few who were still able to be about. 



For some days the ship had remained impassive in 

 the water, lying as the wind and waves drove her. On 

 the 4th of November they again endeavored to sail to 

 the westward, without knowing in what latitude they 

 were, or at what distance from Kamtschatka ; but it 

 was the only point on which a single hope of their 

 deliverance remained. The joy of the crew, when they 

 came in sight of land, may be conceived ; it was about 

 eight o'clock in the morning. They attempted to 

 approach, but they were still at a great distance, and 

 could only see the tops of mountains covered with 

 snow. As they drew nearer, night came upon them. 

 It was judged best, therefore, to keep out to sea until 

 day appeared, that they might not be exposed to ship- 

 wreck in the dark. In the morning they found the 

 cordage on the starboard side of the vessel had given 

 way. They could not, therefore, manage the ship much 

 longer. A consultation was held. It was agreed that 

 the ship was no longer manageable, that the water was 

 much diminished, and the sickness on board increased. 

 The humidity had been succeeded by intense cold, of 

 which the increase was now, from the season, to be 

 expected, and life must soon become insupportable. It 

 was, therefore, decided, at all risks, to make for the 

 land, to save their lives, and, perhaps, their ship. 



The small sails were alone set, from the weakness of 

 the mast, after the failure of the cordage. The wind 

 was north ; the depth of water thirty-six fathoms, with 

 a bottom of sand ; two hours after, they found twelve 

 fathoms. They now contrived to get overboard an 

 anchor, and run it out three quarters of a cable's length. 

 At six the cable parted, and tremendous waves bore the 

 ship upon a rock, where she struck twice, yet, in a 



