182 VITUS BERING. 



driftwood and articles of clothing. To cover up cracks 

 and crevices on the sides, they piled up the foxes they 

 had killed. He exerted himself to obtain wild fowl, 

 seal-beef, and vegetable nourishment for the sick, who 

 were gradually taken ashore and placed under sail 

 tents upon the beach. Their condition was terrible. 

 Some died on deck as soon as they were removed from 

 the close air of their berths, others in the boat as 

 they were being taken ashore, and still others on the 

 coast itself. All attempts at discipline were aban- 

 doned, and those that were well grouped themselves 

 into small companies, according to their own pleasure 

 and agreement. The sick and dying were seen on 

 every hand. Some complained of the cold, others of 

 hunger and thirst, and the majority of them were so 

 afflicted with scurvy that their gums, like a dark 

 brown sponge, grew over and entirely covered the teeth. 

 The dead, before they could be buried, were devoured 

 by foxes, which in countless numbers flocked about, 

 not even fearing to attack the sick. x 



More than a week elapsed before the last of the 

 sick were taken ashore. On November 10, the Com- 

 mander was removed. He was well protected against 

 the influence of the outer air, and was laid for the 

 night under a tent on the strand. It snowed heavily. 

 Steller passed the evening with him and marveled at 

 his cheerfulness and his singular contentment. They 

 weighed the situation, and discussed the probability of 

 their whereabouts. Bering was no more inclined than 

 Steller to think that they had reached Kamchatka, or 

 that their ship could be saved. The next day he was 



