282 LOSS OF THE ST. PETER, 
the scurvy, which at length proved fatal to a great part of 
the crew. 
The vessel did not appear perfectly safe in this situation. 
She was exposed to all the impetuosity of the south winds, 
and to the north there was nothing but rocks and breakers. 
The commodore therefore resolved not to remain long in this 
station; but an unexpected circumstance detained them lon- 
ger than they had intended. A fire having one night been 
perceived in a small island to the N, N. E. Chiimfi] who was 
the officer on duty, represented the following da)^ that while 
the larger boat was employed in watering, the other might be 
sent to discover by whom the fire had been made. The com- 
modore was then confined to his cabin, and the command of 
the ship had devolved on Lieutenant Waxel. That officer, in 
the circumstances under which the Russians then were, would 
not permit the boat to leave the vessel. He conceived that if 
the wind should increase, the ship would be obliged to stand 
out to sea, and in this case it was doubtful whether she would 
be able to return and take on board the crew of the boat, who, 
by one or two violent contrary winds, might be prevented 
from regaining the ship. Chitroff, however, insisting, Waxel 
referred his proposal to Beerings, who decided that the former 
should be at liberty to go if he chose, and might likewise se- 
lect any of the crew to accompany him. 
ChitrofF, who was a courageous man, was flattered with the 
permission granted him. He took with him five men well 
armed and provided with various trifling articles to distribute 
among the natives whom he might meet with. About noon, 
on the 30th of August, they landed* on the island, distant, by 
their calculation, about fourteen miles from the ship. They 
there found the yet unextinguished embers of the fire which 
had been made, but not a single human creature. In the af- 
ternoon Chitrofl' attempted to return to the vessel, but a con- 
trary wind blowing with great violence, obliged him to seek 
shelter in another island by the side of the former. The 
waves threatened every moment to swallow up the boat, or to 
wash away the men who were on board of her. This must 
have been their fate, had it not been for a sail which ChitrofF 
hoisted in the midst of the danger, and with which he ran 
into the breakers. A tremendous sea had filled the boat, 
when fortunately another wave came and carried her on shore 
with all those who were in her. 
ChitrofF had no sooner gained the shore than he made a 
great fire, not only to warm himself and his companions, but 
