SCOUTING EXPEDITIONS 167 



On December 26 the scouts whom we had sent out a second 

 time returned with the report that we were on an island which 

 they had walked around in an easterly direction. ^^o They had 

 found, however, on the beach so many signs, such as rudders,^^! 

 bottoms of fish barrels, and similar objects, that no other conclu- 



mans, three common Kamchatka cossack sons, besides the two servants 

 of the Captain Commander, whose guardian I had become by his last 

 will, consequently altogether ten persons. One of us [Germans] and one 

 of the privates, or in our discretion two of each category, went on the 

 promysel [hunt], the others went for wood; one German and one Russian 

 were cooks. We thus had the advantage that we [Germans] did not have 

 to build fires, fetch water, nor open or close the chimney. Furthermore, 

 after meals, the kitchen and table utensils were rinsed and put away by 

 them [the privates], in return for which they received from us kettles, 

 dishes, plates, spoons, tablecloths, and other effects. Besides recognizing 

 that we were head-cooks and they under-cooks, they had at all times to 

 obey us also in all other matters and be at our service so that everything 

 might be done in an orderly manner. Consequently everyone knew at all 

 times his duty and business without having to be reminded of it. This 

 arrangement made all labor bearable and resulted in cheerfulness and 

 good feeling among us and in our having greater abundance of better pre- 

 pared food and drink than all the other households. At the same time 

 everybody was nevertheless permitted, when we deliberated about some- 

 thing, to express his opinion, and the best advice was taken without re- 

 spect of persons. Thus circumstanced, we celebrated Sundays and holi- 

 days, [including] holy Christmas, as if we were in the [proper] place and 

 situation [at home]. On the public high political [national] holidays we 

 entertained: the officers were invited, and with many pleasant speeches 

 and toasts over the tea, for lack of other kinds of drink, we felt the same 

 enjoyment in this shadowy place as in other places where everything is 

 in abundance." 



390 The log book (see Vol. i, p. 230, under Dec. 27 and footnote 127) 

 is somewhat more qualified in its reports of the result of this reconnais- 

 sance. Khitrov's version reads: "The sailor Timofei Anchiugov returned 

 without bringing any information about the land [we are on]." Yushin's 

 version reads: "The sailor Anchiugov, with the two men from Kamchatka 

 already mentioned, were ordered south to obtain information. He was 

 gone about four weeks but did not learn anything definite. He said that 

 he thought we were on an island. He could not follow the shore for any 

 considerable distance because of the cliffs." 



391 The MS has "Kamchatkan rudders." 



