TO kotzebue's sound. £25 



I observed a broad arm in the W., which ran from 

 the sea into the land, and tliere wandered in seve- 

 ral windings between the mountains, which gave 

 me the hope of navigating in boats, and penetra- 

 ting far into the country. We likewise observed 

 that the depth, which seemed to increase in the 

 middle, was already, at the shore, deep enough for 

 our boats. Its breadth was between a mile and a 

 mile and a half: the current changed regularly, and 

 ran in many parts at least two knots. We discovered 

 a hut at the distance of 300 paces, from which two 

 Americans, the one an elderly man, and the other 

 a boy of sixteen, both armed with bows, arrows, 

 and lances, approached us. After they had come 

 about half way from their hut, they ascended a hill, 

 where they took their stand ; they then drew their 

 bows, and directed their arrows to us, while the old 

 man called out something to us in a roaring voice. 

 As we had still three sailors with us, and this supe- 

 rior force perhaps terrified them, I commanded 

 the others to remain behind, put down my arms, 

 went alone up to the warrior. Scarcely did they 

 see me unarmed, when they also threw down their 

 weapons. We cordially embraced j rubbed our 

 noses frequently together, and I evidently showed 

 them my friendly intentions by giving them knives 

 and looking-glasses. Yet still they could not help 

 conceiving a secret fear, and when I afterwards 

 called my people, their distrust rose to the highest 

 degree ; they immediately directed their bows 



VOL. I. Q 



