274 REPORT ON VOYAGE OF THE "ST. PETER" 



they pointed to their ears, waved their hands to us, and motioned to 

 the shore. After this, one of the two approached much closer to our ship 

 but would not come alongside. At the order of the Captain Commander 

 we threw to him, tied on a board, several arshins of red (Chinese) silk, 

 mirrors, iron pipes for smoking Chinese tobacco (called shar), and several 

 small copper bells. He seemed to receive these gifts with pleasure, and 

 in return he threw to us two thin sticks planed smooth, to one of which 

 were tied birds' feathers and to the other a bird's claw with the feathers 

 on, which feathers we identified as that of the hawk. When we had 

 accepted the presents the Americans pulled away for the shore, at the 

 same time shouting to us in a loud voice and waving their hands toward 

 the beach. 



The Captain Commander ordered that the longboat should be lowered; 

 in this I was sent to the Americans. I took with me an interpreter who 

 understood the Chukchi and Koriak tongues, several armed men, also 

 presents and Russian liquor. When I came near the place of the Ameri- 

 cans I anchored because, owing to the surf, the strong wind, and sub- 

 merged rocks, it was impossible to land. I allowed the interpreter and 

 several men of my party to wade ashore. At the same time I offered the 

 Americans presents, which they would not accept. To one of them I 

 handed a cup of liquor, which he took and drank but immediately spat 

 it out. In the meantime the interpreter who went ashore was led to 

 their camp, where he was offered whale blubber, which he accepted. 

 When he wished to go back to the boat the Americans detained him 

 and would not allow it; just how fast they held him it was difficult to 

 say. In order to free him I was obliged to command the soldiers to 

 fire in the air. When the guns were fired they all fell on the ground, 

 and this gave the interpreter the chance to come aboard. The Ameri- 

 cans made a dash for the boat, seized the painter, and started to haul 

 the boat ashore. I feared that it would be smashed on the rocks and 

 therefore shouted to cut the painter and slip the cable. With all my 

 men I returned safe on board and made a verbal report to the Captain 

 Commander. At night the Americans built a big fire on the beach. 

 That night there was an unusually strong wind, and we were compelled 

 to strike the main and fore yards and wait for daylight. As soon as the 

 5th of September dawned we weighed anchor and tacked near the island 

 with the intention of proceeding on our course, but the wind was contrary 

 and the tide against us. We went back again to the island and anchored 

 in 17 fathoms. While we were at anchor there rowed to us from the afore- 

 mentioned island seven baidarkas, two of which came right up to the ship. 

 It was evident that they had never before seen a gun, for when they came 

 to us they were not in the least afraid. We gave them at this time an 

 iron kettle and a few needles. They gave to us as presents two hats made 

 of bark on which were fastened ivory images in the form of a human 



