(58 PREPARATIONS FOR RETURN. 



Kamtschatka, after which they regulated the daily 

 allowance of each person. Although thirty of the crew 

 had died, there would not have been sufficient for their 

 subsistence, had there not been wild animals on the 

 island to eke out their stores. 



The flesh of the beavers was hard and stringy. They 

 killed a great number for their skins, of which they 

 collected nine hundred. The surgeon had three hun' 

 dred to his own share when they embarked from the 

 island to return to Siberia. 



In the month of March no more beavers were seen, 

 and in their places seals made their appearance. The 

 flesh of these animals they found disagreeable. They 

 were relieved from the necessity of feeding npon them 

 by killing gea-lions, the flesh of which they found excel- 

 lent. The walrus, or sea-horse, was also taken, and 

 served them for food. One of these, of eight hundred- 

 weight, was sufficient for fifteen days' consumption. 

 The flesh was like beef, and that of the young ones not 

 inferior to the best veal. The fat, which lined the flesh 

 to the depth of three or four inches, very much resem- 

 bled lard ; and the Russians used it as a substitute for 

 butter. They filled several hogsheads with the flesh, 

 which they salted, as part of their provisions for their 

 future voyage. 



A whale came on shore during the winter near their 

 habitation, and, being short of other food at the time, 

 they cut out the blubber in square masses, and boiled it 

 to separate the oil, which they ate. On the commence- 

 ment of spring, a second whale was cast on shore in the 

 same way, and then, rejecting the stale meat, they sup- 

 plied themselves with that which was more fresh. 



When the snow melted in the month of March, 1742, 

 these unfortunate men began to think of some means of 

 return. They were forty-five in number The chief 



