THE ST. LAWRENCE ISLANDS. l6S 



inhabitants are allowed to eat as much on the 

 spot as they please, which they accordingly do for 

 twenty-four hours together. The owner often 

 has violent quarrels with the feasters, as they do 

 not think of leaving for him the greatest dainties ; 

 that is, the most putrefied parts. Among the greatest 

 delicacies of Oonalashka are the w ebbed feet of a 

 seal, which are tied in a bladder, buried in the 

 ground, and remain there till they are changed 

 into a stinking jelly. 



According to the belief of the Aleutians, the 

 human race proceeded from a dog, which fell from 

 heaven on the island of Oonalashka, and there first 

 produced people. To no theft, like that of Pro- 

 metheus, will they owe their existence ; their an- 

 cestor fell directly from heaven, even if he was 

 but a dog. 



The 29th of June. After the Kurick was re- 

 paired, the baydares put in order for the voyage 

 to the north, and fifteen Aleutians who might be 

 serviceable to us in the little boats, had been em- 

 barked, we left Oonalashka. I cannot sufficiently 

 praise the readiness of M. Kriukof to assist us in 

 every thing. He has done as much as lay in his 

 power. With respect to provisions, he supplied 

 us daily with fresh fish, and of the few cows 

 which the American Company possesses, he had 

 one killed for us. 



The sailor with his broken leg was now able to 

 go about again ; but I was worse, because 1 had 



M o 



