RUSSIANDISCOVERIES. 49 



the autumn of 1754 they were joined by a Kamtchadal, 

 and a Koriac : thefe perfons, together with four others, 

 had deferted from TrapefnikofF's crew; and had remain- 

 ed upon the ifland in order to catch fea-otters for their 

 own profit. Four of thefe deferters were killed by the 

 iflanders for having debauched their wives : but as the 

 two perfons above-mentioned were not guilty of the fame 

 diforderly conduct, the inhabitants fupplied them with 

 Avomen, and lived with them upon the belt terms. The 

 crew flew upon this ifland above 1600 fea-otters, and 

 came back fafe to Kamtchatka in autumn 1755. 



SerebranikofF's veflcl failed in July 1753, manned 

 alfo with thirty-four Ruliians and Kamtchadals : they 

 difeoveredl feveral new ifhuds,- which were probably 

 fome of the more diftant ones ; but were not fo fortunate Departure of 



Serebranikuff 's 



in hunting fea-otters as Cholodiloff's cresv. They fleered v<;irei. 

 S. E. and on the 1 7th- of Auguift anchored under an un- 

 known ifland ; whole iiltiabitants fpoke a language they 

 did not underftimd. Here they propofed Jcwking out for 

 a fafe harbour ; but were prevented by the coming on of 

 a fudden ftorm, which carried away their anchor. The 

 fliip being tolt about for feveral days towards the Eafl, 

 they difcovered not far from the firft ifland four others : 

 Hill more to the Eaft three other illands appeared in fight ; 

 but on neither of thefe were they able to land-. The 

 veflel continued driving until' the id- of September, and 

 vvas conliderably fhattered, when they fortunately came 



II near 



