J794' The whole fpace, fo far as they, were able to difcern any objects, was
—-v----1 incumbered with an immenfe number of conical rocks, detached from
each other on a bank of fand and fmall Hones, that extended a league
and upwards from the fhore.' Thefe rocks are of different elevations,
and as few of them are of fufficient height to appear above the furface at
high water, the navigating of this fhore with fuch rapid tides required to
be undertaken with the greateft caution. The ebb tide in the might being
ill calculated for this purpofe, their tents were pitched on the upper
part of the beach, clear of the fnow, with which the ground was as yet
in moll places covered.
In the evening, on the difcharge of fome mufkets that had become
damp, fifteen Indians came from the woods, and with great cheerfulnefs
and affability welcomed their new vifitors, by prefenting -them with fome
dried falmon; which very friendly behaviour Mr. Whidbey amply requited,
and accompanied them to their habitations, which were about a
mile from the boats, confifting of two huts_ that had been recently built,
each containing a family of about fifteen perfons, o f different ages and
both fexes ; whofe behaviour was in every refpefl marked with the fame
hojneft and orderly decorum exhibited by thofe of their countrymen who
had vifited the fhip.
The next morning their furvey was continued through this rocky labyrinth,
extending along the fhore about 7 leagues, to a point lying from
the eaft Foreland n . 35 e . , diflant 2 leagues. The utmoft circumfpec-
tion- was required to conduct the boats clear of thefe dangerous pyrami-
dicalrocks, riling perpendicularly from a bale at the depth.of 4 to o
fathoms, and perfectly fteep on every fide within the diftance of a boat’s
lengdi. Had our boats grounded on any of them with the rapidity of the
falling tide, nothing lefs than inflant deftruflion could have been expefted.
This very extraordinary rugged region appeared to join the fouthern fide
of the fhoal, on which the Refolution had grounded in the year 1778;
and hence it mufl be confidered as a moll fortunate circumftance, that
neither Captain Cook nor ourfelyes had attempted to pafs on the fouth
fide of that fhoal.
Between
Between the point where this fhoal terminates and the eaft Foreland J7S4-
is a fhallow bay, with foundings of 7 and 8 fathoms, within a cönve- 1---- v---->
nient diftance o f the fhore, fheltered from the eaft, fouth, and fouth-weft
winds, and not much expofed to thofe which blow from thé oppoftte
quarters. Mr. Whidbey’s examination of this place, however, was not
very minute, being anxious to accomphfh the more important objects of
his expedition. On reaching the eaft Foreland he obferved the latitude
to be 60 °4'3', longitude 209” ig'. This comprehended the extent
of the furvey on the eaftern fhore. After crofting over to the
weft Foreland, a diftance of eight miles and an half in a weft direction
between thefe points, they hauled up their boats, to prevent their being
injured by the ice, which defcended in vaft- bodies down the river, and
refted here for the night; where they were vifited by our Indian
paffengers, who expreffed much pleafure on feeing them again, and
prefented them with the only eatables they had to offer, a few dried falmon.
The next morning (may the 2d) the weather was hazy, a heavy
fwell rolled from thé fouth, and broke with much violence on the fhore,
along which they had continued their furvey to the north Foreland,
fituated in latitude 61° 4', longitude 209*37'. The fpace between this
point and the weft Foreland forms a fpacious open bay. Shallow water
extends from the latter to within about 5 leagues of the former
point, from whence a depth of 5 fathoms was found clofe to the main
land. Many of the natives were feen about their habitations as our
party paffed along the bay; and, where they had oceafion to land, fome
of thefe good people obferving that the boats were prevented by the
fhoals from reaching the fhore, they rufhed into the water, notwithftanding
the weather was very cold and unpleafant, and offered their friendly affif-
tance to land our gentlemen, by carrying them through the water; which
acceptable fervice they not only performed with the greateft care
and attention, but made their new vifitors fome trivial prefents; which
were recompenced by returns highly fatisfaftory to them. The ebb tide
having commenced by the time they had reached the -north Foreland,
our party flopped for the night clofe in the vicinity of the Ruffian
eftablifhment, mentioned by thofe who had vifited the fhip in the
V o l. III. R large