286 LOSS OF THE ST. PETER. 
of the Kurile islands. This opinion caused them to steer to 
the north, instead of which, if they had continued to run iX) 
the west two days longer, they would have arrived at the port 
of Awatschka. 
This step was attended with the most fatal consequences. 
In vain they resumed their course to the west ; they were 
unable to discover the coast of Kamtschatka, and they had 
no hope of reaching- any port in such an advanced season. 
The crew, exposed to the most intense, cold and incessant 
rain, continued to labor without intermission. The scurvy 
had made such ravages that the man who guided the helm 
was obliged to be supported in his station by two of his com- 
rades, who still possessed sufficient strength to keep their 
legs. When he became unable either to sit up or to steer, 
another, who was in a situation very little better, took his 
place. They durst not carry a press of sail, because in case 
of necessity there was no person to lower those which might 
be too much. The sails themselves were so worn out that 
the first gale would have torn them to pieces, and there w^ere 
not hands sufficient to hoist the spare sails which they had 
taken out Avith them. 
The incessant rain, which had fallen till now, was succeeded 
by hail and snow. The nights grew longer and darker, and 
their dangers were consequently increased, because they every 
moment had reason to apprehend that the ship would strike. 
At the same time their fresh w^ater Avas entirely consumed- 
The excessive labor became unsupportable to the i'ew hands 
who still remained in health, and when summoned to their 
duty, they declared themselves incapable of any farther ex- 
ertions. They impatiently expected death, which appeared 
inevitable, to deliver them from their misery. 
During several days the vessel remained without a steers- 
man, and as if motionless on the water ; or if she had any 
movement she received it only from the impulse of the Avinds 
and Av^aves, to Avhich she Avas consigned. It Avould have been 
in vain to resort to vigorous measures Avith a creAv driven to 
despair. In this extremity Waxel adopted a more prudent 
method, spoke AA^ith kindness to the seamen, exhorting them 
not to despair entirely of the assistance of the Almighty, and 
rather to make a last effort for their common deliverance, 
Avhich Avas perhaps much nearer than they expected. With 
this kind of language he persuaded them to keep on deck 
and Avork the ship as long as they AA-ere able. 
Such Avas the dismal situation of the creAv, AA^hen, on the 
