47 6 
A VOYAGE TO 
1778. 
September. 
'--v-> 
we raifed land in the direction of North Eaft half North; 
which proved to he a continuation of the coaft we were 
upon. We alfo faw high land over the iflands, feemingly 
at a good diftance beyond them. This was thought to be 
the continent, and the other land the illand of Alafchka. 
But it was already doubtful, whether we fhould find a paf~ 
fage between them ; for the water fhoaled infenfibly as we 
advanced farther to the North. In this fituation, two boats 
were fent to found before the fhips; and I ordered the Dif- 
covery to lead, keeping nearly in the mid channel, between 
the coaft on our larboard, and the Northernmoft ifland on 
our ftarboard. Thus we proceeded till three in the after* 
noon ; when, having palled the ifland, we had not more 
than three fathoms and an half of water; and the Refolu- 
tion, at one time, brought the mud up from the bottom. 
More water was not to be found in any part of the chan¬ 
nel ; for, with the fhips and boats, we had tried it from fide 
to fide. 
I therefore thought it high time to return; efpecially 
as the wind was in fuch a quarter that we muft ply back. 
But what I dreaded moft was the wind increafing, and 
railing the fea into waves, fo as to put the fhips in danger 
of ftriking. At this time, a head land on the Weft fhore, 
which is diftinguifhed by the name of Bald Head , bore 
North by Weft, one league diftant. The coaft beyond it 
extended as far as North Eaft by North, where it feemed to 
end in a point; behind which the coaft of the high land, 
feen over the iflands, ftretched itfelf; and fome thought 
they could trace where it joined. On the Weft fide of Bald 
Head, the fhore forms a bay, in the bottom of which is a 
low beach, where we faw a number of huts or habitations 
of the natives. 
Having 
