32 AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE. 



light wind blowing towards the bay ; but so 

 gloomy was the weather, that we could scarcely 

 see land, and not one of our crew had ever 

 been in the bay before. It stretches from the 

 entrance to New Archangel twenty-five miles in 

 length, and is full of small islands and shal 

 lows; a pilot was not to be thought of; but 

 we happily overcame all our difficulties. We 

 tacked through all the intricacies of this navi 

 gation amidst heavy rain and a thick gloom, 

 till we dropped the anchor within musket-shot 

 of the fortress. 



We here found the frigate Kreissac, under 

 the command of Captain Lasaref, sent here by 

 Government for the protection of trade, and 

 whom we were destined to succeed. 



The appearance of a vessel of our native 

 country, in so distant and desolate a corner of 

 the earth, naturally produced much joy amongst 

 our people. I immediately paid a visit to Cap 

 tain Lasaref, and then to the Governor of the 

 Colony, Captain Murawief, an old acquaint 

 ance, whom I had not seen for many years. At 

 so great a distance from home, friendships are 

 quickly formed between compatriots, even if 



