102 OUR ARCTIC PROVINCE. 



their peltries. Twenty or thirty of their leaders were kept as host- 

 ages on the vessels, and the result was entire submission every- 

 where afterward to the Russians in this region. Occasional at- 

 tacks and massacres would now and then be made upon far-distant 

 hunting parties of the Russians, it is true, but the moral effect of 

 the Oogak victory and slaughter was such among the Kadiakers 

 that no further combined organized resistance or opposition was 

 ever given again. 



Shellikov soon realized that he was in no further danger from 

 savage attacks. He began a most extensive and thorough explora- 

 tion of the great island, and organizations of trading-posts at every 

 eligible point. He sent a large party around to the north side and 

 located it at Karlook, where we now find quite a salmon-canning 

 establishment. Here, during the winter of 1785-86 fifty-two Rus- 

 sians and as many natives ranged all over the water of Shellikov 

 Straits in eager search of the sea-otter ; in the meantime the whites 

 under Shellikov's immediate command were actively examining 

 the recesses and fiords which are so numerous and deep on the 

 south side of Kadiak. So well and so thoroughly was this work 

 carried out, that by the beginning of 1786 Shellikov had made him- 

 self well acquainted with the whole region had established his 

 trading-posts at every point between Shooak, in the north, and 

 Trinity Islands, at the extreme south; and had even made himself 

 tolerably familiar with the coast of Cook's Inlet, having chastised 

 the ugly Kenaitze in a most summary manner. 



Again, this remarkable man is distinguished by the successful 

 and sensible effort which he made in substituting for the orgies of 

 Kadiak demonology the practices of the Greek Church, which, he 

 wisely foresaw, if effected, would bind the natives closer to the 

 Russians than any other power. He was aided in this by the per- 

 sonal labors and example of his wife, who accompanied him at the 

 outset. She instructed the girls and women in needle-work, and 

 acquired an influence over them that was very great. Feeling 

 certain that he had established his trade on a secure foundation, 

 Shellikov and his wife sailed for home on May 22, 1786, in the 

 same vessel which brought them out, leaving an impress of endur- 

 ing character upon Alaska of the greatest good and worth. 



During the first years of the existence of the Shellikov Company, 

 thus established here in Kadiak, it enjoyed the partial protection 

 of the Crown and many exclusive privileges, by which advantages 



