242 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CHAP, and south-westward in bold rocky cliffs, off which are situated three 
small islands ; the hills have a gradual slope to the coast line to the 
July, northward and westward; but at the north-western extremity of the 
island they end in a remarkable wedge-shaped promontory — particulars 
which may be found useful to navigators in foggy weather. The upper 
parts of the island were buried in snow ; but the lower, as at Beering’s 
Island, were bare and overgrown with moss or grass. We stood close 
into a small bay at the S. W. angle of the island, where we perceived 
several tents, and where, from the many stakes driven into the ground, 
we concluded there was a fishing-station. The natives soon afterwards 
launched four baidars *, of which each contained eight persons, males 
and females. They paddled towards the ship with great quickness, 
until they were within speaking distance, when an old man who steered 
the foremost boat stood erect and held up in succession nets, walrus 
ceeth, skin shirts, harpoons, bows and arrows, and small birds ; he then 
extended his arms, rubbed and patted his breast f , and came fearlessly 
alongside. We instantly detected in these people the features of the 
Esquimaux, whom in appearance and manners also, and indeed in every 
particular, they so much resembled, that there cannot, I think, be the 
least doubt of their having the same origin. They were if any thing 
less dirty, and somewhat fairer, and their implements were better made. 
Their dress, though Esquimaux, differed a little from it in the skin 
shirts being ornamented with tassels, after the manner of the Oonalashka 
people, and in the boots fitting the leg, instead of being adapted to the 
reception of either oil or infants. 
The old men had a few gray hairs on their chins, but the young 
ones, though grown up, were beardless. Many had their heads shaved 
round the crown, after the fashion of the Tschutschi, the Otaheitans, 
or the Eoman Catholic priesthood in Europe, and all had their hau’ 
cut short. Their manner of salutation was by rubbing their noses 
against ours, and drawing the palms of their hands over our faces ; but 
we were not favoured as Kotzebue was, by their being previously spit 
* This boat, called by the natives oomiac, is the same in every respect as the oomiac, or 
woman boat of the Esquimaux. It is here used by the men instead of by the women. 
This is the usual Esquimaux indication of friendship. 
