18 FROM THE SANDWICH ISLANDS 



we again directed our course to the entrance, 

 found the wind from E. and E. by S., embraced 

 this moment, as it permitted us to run into the 

 channel without tacking, into which we sailed with 

 all our sails spread. At forty minutes past nine we 

 were in the middle of the channel. A deathlike 

 silence prevailed on board the ship ; we heard on 

 botli sides the roaring of the breakers, and every 

 one was ready at his post. At length, the mate 

 called from the mast-head that we were out of 

 danger, for the water now assumed a dark colour. 

 The Rurick, in fact, was sailing over w^ater as 

 smooth as a mirror ; we had the breakers behind 

 us, congratulated each other on the success of our 

 hazardous attempt, and looked eagerly at the 

 islands, w^hich we hoped soon to reach. The cur- 

 rent, which run two knots in the narrow part, had 

 rapidly carried us past every danger, -for we had 

 been only fifteen minutes from the beginning to 

 the end of the strait. We gave the channel the 

 name of Rurick*s Strait. The wind allowed us to 

 steer direct to thew^esternmost island, where we saw, 

 on the 4th *, from W. to E., columns of smoke, 

 and, by means of a telescope, some people also, a 

 sight which heightened our triumph at having 

 penetrated hither. In spite of our desire to 

 become acquainted with the inhabitants of this 



* Tq avoid mistakes I shall number the islands, couating 

 frpra W. to E. 



