LOSS OF THE ST. PETER. 283 
likewise as a signal to the ship to come to his relief But the 
wind in the meantime became so violent that the crew were 
obliged to think only of preserving the vessel. They there- 
fore weighed anchor, and sought shelter behind another island. 
Night arrived, and Chitrof!J with his companions, who had 
seen the ship set sail, without knowing the intention of those 
on board, was thrown into the utmost perplexity. 
The storm continued till the 2d of September, when it at 
length abated. As ChitrofF did not return, Waxel the next 
day sent the shallop on shore, with orders, if the boat was da- 
maged, to leave her behind, and return on board with the men. 
She had been too much injured, when cast on shore by the 
waves, to keep the sea; she was therefore left in the island, 
and Chitroff returned in the shallop. 
The Russians instantly weighed anchor, but the wind being 
contrary, they could not proceed very fast, and toward night 
were again obliged to return to the islands. They had the 
same unfavorable weather on the 4th of September, and were 
compelled to return to the spot where they had anchored the 
preceding day. It blew a violent storm during the whole night. 
In the morning the Russians heard the cries of men on one 
of the islands, and likewise saw a fire there. Soon after- 
ward, two Americans, each in a canoe resembling those of the 
Greenlanders, approached the ship within a certain distance. 
By their words and gestures these savages invited the Rus- 
sians to land, and the latter, by signs and presents which they 
threw toward them, endeavored, but without success, to entice 
them into the ship. After looking some time at the Russians, 
they returned to the island. 
Beerings and his officers resolved to venture to land, and 
for this purpose the great shallop was hoisted overboard. 
Lieutenant Waxel, accompanied by Steller and nine men well 
armed, went into the boat, and proceeded toward the island. 
They found the shore lined with a range of sharp rocks, and 
the fear of being dashed against them by the impetuosity of 
the wind, prevented the Russians from approaching nearer 
than within three fathoms of the land. The Americans, to 
the number of nine, appeared on the shore, and were invited 
by signs to come to the shallop. But, as they could neither 
be tempted by the signs that were made, nor the presents 
which were offered them, and still continued to invite the Rus- 
sians to land, Waxel put on shore three men, among whom 
was a Tschutski or Koriak interpreter. They moored th^ 
shallop to one of the rocks, as they had been ordered. 
