1827. 



PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. I57 



or much improved by being- kept boiling, had a very chap. 

 insipid taste ; it, however, served to quench the thirst v_^^j^ 

 on a hot day. May. 



On no account would these people receive any pre- 

 sent, nor would they sell any of their property in 

 pubhc ; but if they thought we desired to possess any 

 thing they could spare, they would offer it for our 

 acceptance. I one day made a present to a person 

 who had been very civil in showing me over his 

 grounds, which he at first refused, and when I insisted 

 on his taking it, and placed it in his pocket, he gave 

 it me back again ; but finding I would not receive it, 

 he threw it after me ; and it was not until after I had 

 returned it in the same manner, that he was prevailed 

 upon to accept it. Upon doing this, he first exhibited 

 it to the crowd around him, and then thanked me for 

 it. On another occasion one of the officers offered a 

 man, named Komee, two Spanish dollars for his pouch, 

 which he declined, and could not be prevailed upon to 

 accept ; but with perfect good breeding he presented 

 to him the object he desired, and insisted upon his 

 keeping it. In private, however, they had less ob- 

 jection to presents, and even asked for several things: 

 small bargains were also effected. 



From this time we visited the shore daily, and made 

 many excursions into the country, confining our ram- 

 bles within reasonable limits, to avoid giving uneasi- 

 ness to our guides, who were very much distressed 

 whenever we strayed beyond what they considered 

 strictly within the limits prescribed by their instruc- 

 tions. We met many peasants and other persons in 

 these excursions, all of whom seemed eager to show 

 us attention, and with whom there was less reserve, 

 and less disinclination to our proceeding inland, than 



