284 LOSS OF THE ST. PETER. 
These men were kindly received by the savag-es, but being 
unable to understand each other, they were obliged to con- 
verse by signs. The Americans, with a view to regale the 
Russians, presented them with whale's flesh, which was the 
only provision they had with them. It appeared that their 
residence here was only for the purpose of catching whales, 
for on the shore was observed as many boats as men, but no 
hut, and not a woman among them ; so that, probably they 
had no permanent habitation but on the continent. They had 
neither arrows nor any other arms that could give umbrage 
to the Russians, and at length one of them had the courage 
to go into the boat to Waxel. He appeared to be the oldest 
person, and the chief of the party. Waxel presented him 
with a glass of brandy, but that liquor appeared equally disa- 
greeable and strange to him. After spitting it out of his 
mouth, he began to cry out, as if complaining to his country- 
men that the Russians were using him ill. It was found im- 
possible to appease him ; needles, glass beads, an iron pot, 
pipes, were offered him, but he refused them all. He imme- 
diately returned to the island, and Waxel did not judge it pru- 
dent to detain him any longer. At the same time he called 
off the three men who had been put on shore. 
The Americans at first showed a disposition to detain them 
all. At length they suffered two of the Russians to return, 
but kept the interpreter. Some of them even seized the cable 
by which the shallop was moored, thinking no doubt she was 
as easily managed as one of their canoes, or hoping to dash 
her to pieces against the rocks. To prevent their design, 
Waxel cut the cable. The interpreter meanwhile entreated 
not to be left behind. The Americans disregarding all the 
signs that were made them to let him go, Waxel ordered two 
muskets to be fired, with a view to frighten them only. The 
success answered his expectation ; the report, re-echoed by a 
neighboring mountain, terrified the Americans to such a de- 
gree that they fell do^vn on the ground, and the interpreter imme- 
diately made his escape. The savages soon recovered from 
■ their panic, and, by their cries and gestures, appeared highly 
irritated. Waxel did not think proper to remain there any 
longer, as the night was coming on, the sea grew very rough, 
and the vessel was at the distance of a mile and a half. 
Leaving the island, the Russians steered to the south, in 
order to get off the coast. From this time till far in the au- 
tumn, the wind scarcely varied, excepting between W. S. W 
and W. N. W. This was a great obstacle to the speedy return 
