1779. THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 169 



brought from Oonalashka to the Russian commander. 

 We directed our course toward the village I have 

 just mentioned; and having proceeded as far as we 

 were able, with the boats, we got upon the ice, which 

 extended near half a mile from the shore. Mr. Web- 

 ber and two of the seamen accompanied me, whilst 

 the master took the pinnace and cutter to finish the 

 survey, leaving the jolly-boat behind to carry us 

 back. 



I believe the inhabitants had not vet seen either 

 the ship or the boats, for even after we had got on 

 the ice we could not perceive any signs of a living 

 creature in the town. By the time we had advanced 

 a little way on the ice, we observed a few men hurry- 

 ing backward and forward, and presently after a 

 sledge drawn by dogs, with one of the inhabitants in 

 it, came down to the sea-side, opposite to us. Whilst 

 we were gazing at this unusual sight, and admiring 

 the great civility of this stranger which we imagined 

 had brought him to our assistance, the man, after 

 viewing us for some time \ery attentively, turned 

 short round and went off with great speed toward 

 the ostrog. We were not less chagrined than dis- 

 appointed at this abrupt departure, as we began to 

 find our journey over the ice attended not only with 

 great difficulty but even with danger. We sunk at 

 every step almost knee-deep in the snow, and though 

 we found tolerable footing at the bottom, yet the 

 weak parts of the ice not being discoverable, we 

 were constantly exposed to the risk of breaking 

 through it. This accident at last actually happened 

 to myself; for stepping on quickly over a suspicious 

 spot, in order to press with less weight upon it, I 

 came upon a second before I could stop myselfj 

 which broke under me, and in I fell. Luckily I rose 

 clear of the ice, and a man that was a little way be- 

 hind with a boat-hook throwing it to me, I laid it 

 across some loose pieces near me, and by that means 

 was enabled to get upon firm ice again. 



