12 PROCEED NORTHWARD. 



geese were seen flying to the southward, a notable 

 token of the winter setting in. 



Headwinds and strong currents now much impeded 

 our progress, and we only sighted the island of St. 

 Lawrence early in the morning of 13th October : 

 dming the night of the 15th, we di^ifted so far to 

 . the north-west, that at three a.m., in the morning, 

 the coast of Asia, near the Tchutskoi Noss, was dis- 

 covered, with huts and signs of life visible on the 

 shore. Here was a deep indentation, with the 

 appearance of a river, which boats were despatched 

 to examine. Meanwhile, the natives were evidently 

 not unconscious of our presence : much bustle was 

 observable among them, and after considerable 

 running to and fro, they launched fom* boats, and 

 pidled towards us, with signs of trepidation. Theu* 

 diffidence being at length overcome, they paddled 

 alongside, and climbed on board. 



This was our first interview with the Tchutski, a 

 people of whom less is known than any on the face 

 of the habitable globe (if we except, perhaps, some 

 of the tribes in the interior of Africa) ; and whose 

 manners and appearance are so singular as to deserve' 

 a more particular notice hereafter. 



