THE ISLAND OF KADJAK. 
37 
They offered nothing to sale,* but soon after returned to their 
habitations. In the mean time a favourable gale sprung up, by 
the aid of which we made towards the south-western pomt of 
Kadjak ; the depth of water decreased to 16 fathoms, the ground 
was sandy, and in some places gravelly. 
After passing the island of Tugudock at noon, we entered the 
strait between the south-western shore of Kadjak and the island 
Sichtunok. Close to the shore of Kadjak lie four inlets in a line, 
the first and largest of which was Anajachtalich, and the latter, 
which affords the view of a lofty mountain, is called Nasikach. We 
bore round to the southern side, and put into the harbour of Erech 
Swatitely, north-north-west, between the island Sachlidock and 
Kadjak, from whence the agent to the Russian merchant Scheie- 
chow’s establishment came out to meet us. The strait, at its 
entrance, is four miles and a half broad ; its depth at first un¬ 
fathomable, afterwards 7-5 and 70 fathoms with a muddy bottom* 
On account of the calm that succeeded, we were obliged to 
hoist out the boats and tow our vessel; but a brisk gale springing 
up fair for the harbour, we entered it after a little veering ; and 
tacking our ship, we moored it. The harbour of Erech Swatitely 
which is called by the inhabitants Manikaksak. 
It lies on the left side of Kadjak, in the above-mentioned strait, 
at the entrance of the very secure creek of Lachik. The harbour 
is not large, being sheltered and formed by a neck of land jutting 
out of a mountain, and bending in an arch round the same moun¬ 
tain, by the creek of Lachik. At its mouth it is 60 fathoms 
broad, and from five to eight deep, but the depth in the middle 
goes to 12 fathoms. Its bottom is muddy, and it is one verst 
and a half in extent. 
Towards evening we went on shore and visited Scbelechow’s 
factory, established on the southern side of the haven, along the 
shore. It consists of mud-walled huts, a store-house, and two 
jobas, built of alder-wood, which is transported in barges from the 
eastern side of the island. It is inhabited,.by Russian hunters, 
wh£> are under the inspection of a Delawa Greek. In one of 
the huts we found several children of the inhabitants of this island, 
who serve as hostages for the fidelity of their parents. They are 
treated very well, and not strictly confined, being permitted not 
only to see their parents, but even to go to their homes occa¬ 
sionally for a short stay. The former are, however, obliged to 
pjovide them with food and every necessary. 
The island of Kadjak has been known to the Russians for thirty 
years. Schelechow has denominated this island Kychtak, which, 
in the language of the Kadjakers, designates every large island; 
1 havf', therefore, called it by the particular name whigh it has 
received from the inhabitants. In the year 1763 the translates 
SAHYTSCIIE"W, VOL, 11.] C 
