^18 FROM KAMTSCHATKA 



the east of Chamisso Island, and did not find the 

 channel above five fathoms deep. 



Onthe7th, at eight o*clock in the morning, were 

 left the Rurick, with a fresh south-east wind, to 

 explore the eastern part of the bay. We had already 

 advanced so far at noon, that we could distinctly 

 observe, that the land was united every where : 

 at the distance of a full mile from the shore, the 

 water had decreased to five feet ; and the hope of 

 discovering a river also vanished. Happily we 

 found a convenient place for landing; the cur- 

 rent having formed a small tongue of land, where 

 there was depth enough for us to approach with 

 our long-boat, and I resolved to remain there for 

 the night. There were two small huts, near our 

 landing-place, which were raised several feet, sup- 

 ported by four pillars, and covered with morse-skin. 

 These huts did not seem constructed so much for 

 continual residence, as for magazines for their in- 

 struments, and hunting utensils. We here found 

 very elegantly-made arms. I took several arrows, 

 and put in their stead knives, and a hatchet, on 

 the handle of which, Rurick and the date of the 

 year was carved. Probably the Americans visit 

 this place, at the hunting time. They perhaps 

 also keep rein-deer ; as we saw many horns of these 

 useful animals lying on the shore. The land rises 

 a little from the coast, but reaches to a con- 

 siderable height ; and is only covered below with 

 beautiful green, and above with moss. 



