162 VITUS BERING. 



especially scurvy-grass and berries, with which, in the 

 course of a week, he succeeded in restoring Bering to 

 sufi&cient strength to be able to use his limbs. Through 

 the use of the same remedies the other sufferers were 

 relieved. But Steller thought also of the future. The 

 medicine chest contained ^'plasters and salves for half 

 an army," but only extremely few real medicines, and 

 hence he suggested to Lieut. Waxel, who was then in 

 command, that he send a number of sailors ashore to 

 gather anti-scorbutic plants, but this excellent and 

 timely advice was rejected. 



Furthermore, Steller used all his influence to procure 

 good water. He went ashore with the sailors for this 

 purpose, and as they began to dip water from the first 

 pool they found, one, too, which was connected with 

 the sea during high tide, he directed them to fresh 

 springs a little farther in the interior, but the crew sent 

 some samples on board, and from there came the report 

 that the water was good enough. Thus it was that a 

 new cause of disease — in spite of Steller's protestations — 

 was added to all the others. The water was brackish, 

 and on standing in the casks became unfit for use. 



On the whole the stay at the Shumagins, which was 

 unnecessarily prolonged, was very unfortunate. The St. 

 Peter lay at anchor south of them in a very exposed posi- 

 tion. On the evening of August 29, a fire was seen on 

 one of the islands, and on this account, Khitroff wished 

 to explore them more thoroughly, although Waxel firmly 

 opposed releasing both of the ship's boats under the 

 present dangerous circumstances. By applying to Bering, 

 who was in the cabin, and hardly understood the situation, 



