1778. THE PACIFIC 0CFAN T . 435 



fell in with it. I was not, therefore, at a loss where 

 to go, in order to clear up these doubts. 



At eight in the evening of the 7th, we had got 

 close in with the land, Sledge Island bearing N. 85 

 W., eight or nine leagues distant ; and the eastern 

 part of the coast N. 70 E., with high land in the di- 

 rection of east by north, seemingly at a great distance 

 beyond the point. At this time we saw a light ashore; 

 and two canoes, filled with people, coming off toward 

 us. I brought to, that they might have time to come 

 up. But it was to no purpose ; for, resisting all the 

 signs of friendship we could exhibit, they kept at the 

 distance of a quarter of a mile ; so that we left them, 

 and pursued our course along the coast. 



At one in the morning of the 8th, finding the water 

 shoal pretty fast, we dropped anchor in ten fathoms, 

 where we lay until day-light, and then resumed our 

 course along the coast, which we found to trend east, 

 and east half south. At seven in the evening, we 

 were abreast of a point, lying in the latitude of 6l l 2L' 9 

 and in the longitude of 1^7; beyond which the 

 coast takes a more northerly direction. At eight, 

 this point, which obtained the name of Cape Darby, 

 bore S. 62 W. ; the northernmost land in sight, N. 

 32 E. ; and the nearest shore three miles distant. 

 In this situation, we anchored in thirteen fathoms* 

 water, over a muddy bottom. 



Next morning, at day-break, we weighed and sailed 

 along the coast. Two islands, as we supposed them 

 to be, were at this time seen ; the one bearing S. 70 

 E., and the other E. Soon after, we found ourselves 

 upon a coast covered with wood ; an agreeable sight, 

 to which, of late, we had not been accustomed. As 

 we advanced to the north, we raised land in the di- 

 rection of north-east half north ; which proved to be a 

 continuation of the coast we were upon. We also saw 

 high land over the islands, seemingly at a good dis- 

 tance beyond them. This was thought to be the 

 continent, and the other land the island of Alaschka. 



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