CHAP. sand continued along the coast to Cape Espenburg, and there termi-
_ nated.
July, AVe entered Kotzebue Sound early in the morning of the 22d of
July, and plied against a contrary wind, guided by the soundings; the appearance
of the land being so distorted by mirage and in parts so obscured
by low fog, that it was impossible to distinguish where we were. The
naturalist who accompanied Kotzebue in his voyage particularly remarks
this state of the atmosphere in the vicinity of the sound, and suggests
that it may be occasioned by the swampy nature of the country; in which
opinion I fully concur. AA'hen it cleared off we were much surprised to
find ourselves opposite a deep inlet in the northern shore, wdiich had
escaped the observation of Captain Kotzebue. I named it Ilotham Inlet,
in compliment to the Hon. Sir Henry Hotham, Iv.C. B., one of the lords
of the Admiralty. AVe stood in to explore it, but found the water too
shallow, and were obliged to anchor in four fathoms to prevent being
carried away by a strong tide which was setting out of the sound, the
wind being light and contrary.
As it would be necessary to remain three or four days at Chamisso
Island to increase our stock of water, previous to proceeding to the
northward, the barge was hoisted out and sent to examine the inlet,
with directions to meet the ship at Chamisso Island. She was again
placed under the command of Mr. Elson, and equipped in every way
necessary for the service required.
AVe were visited by several baidars, containing from ten to thirteen
men each, whose object was to obtain articles in exchange. They were
in every respect similar to the natives of Schismareff Inlet, though
rather better looking, and were all, without exception, provided with
labrets, either made of ivory and blue beads, as before described, of ivory
alone, or of different kinds of stone, as steatite, porphyry, or greenstone;
they readily disengaged these from their lips, and sold them, without
minding the inconvenience of the saliva that flowed through the badly
cicatriced orifice over the chin; but rather laughed when some of us
betrayed disgust at the spectacle, thrusting their tongues through the
hole, and winking their eyes. One or two had small strings of beads
suspended to their ears.
'
• I I
t' ii