294 LOSS OF THE ST. FETERr 
An gust, and named the St. Peter, after the ship from the re- 
mains of which she had been constructed. The balls and su- 
perfluous iron work served for ballast. A calm, w^hich con- 
tinued six days, enabled them to fix the mast, rudder and sails, 
and to take on board the provisions. 
On the 16th they put to sea; and, with the help of oars, 
got clear of the rocks and shallows near the island. They 
then set their sails to take advantage of a breeze which sprung 
up. They had the satisfaction to find that their vessel was an 
excellent sailer, and might be managed wdth the greatest fa- 
cility. On the 18th they were overtaken by a contrary wind, 
which blew with great violence at S. W. Being apprehen- 
sive of a tempest, they resolved to lighten the vessel, by throw- 
ing overboard part of their ballast. On the 25th they came 
in sight of Kamtschatka, and, on the 27th, came to an anchor 
in the harbor of Petropawlowska. 
It is scarcely possible to express the transports of the Rus- 
sians when they again found themselves in the midst of com- 
fort and abundance. After passing the winter at Petropaw- 
lowska, they again embarked in the month of May, and arriv- 
ed at Ochotzk. Waxel repaired to Jakutsk, where he resided 
during the w^inter. In October, 1744, he arrived at Jeniseisk, 
at which place he found Captain TschirikofF, who soon after- 
w^ard received an order from the senate to repair to Peters- 
burg ; on which Waxel succeeded him in the command of the 
crews of both vessels. With these he proceeded to the same 
city, where he arrived in the month of January, 1749, which 
may be considered as the conclusion of the second expedition 
to Kamtschatka, after a period of sixteen years from iis com- 
mencement. 
The Arctic fox, of which the Russians found such numbers 
in Beerings' Island, is of a bluish grey color. The hair is 
very thick, long, and soft, the nose sharp, and the ears short, 
and almost hid in the fur. The tail is shorter, but more bushy 
than that of the common fox. The following is the account 
given by Steller of the habits and manners of this extraor- 
dinary animal. 
" During my unfortunate abode on Beerings' Island 1 had 
opportunities more than enough of studying the nature of 
this animal, which far exceeds the common fox in impudence, 
cunning, and, roguery. 
" They forced themselves into our habitations by night as 
well as by day, stealing all that they could carry off; even 
things that were of no use to them, such as knives, sticks, and 
