Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - Chapter XVIII.
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this place, and before evening came on, the coast-lines
assumed an appearance that compelled them to give up
all thought of having reached home. But, as Bering
on his first voyage had not found land for several days’
sailing east of the mouth of the Kamchatka River, they
still clung to the belief that they were off the coast of
the mainland. During the night, they stood to the
north so as to steer clear of land, as they feared a
storm. With great difficulty the topsails were taken in,
but the feeble crew were obliged to leave the other sails.
In the night a storm from the east rent the starboard
shrouds of the mainmast so that it could no longer
carry sail. The next morning, a bright and magnificent
November day, the whole crew assembled for a final
consultation.
All that could walk or crawl, officers as well as crew,
dragged themselves into the chief’s cabin to hear the
result. I have repeatedly called attention to the fact
that Bering did not have the sovereign power with which
the chief of an expedition is now-a-days endowed. The
terrible disease that had overpowered him still further
lessened his influence; but never had the rules and
regulations appeared in worse light than on this occasion.
Waxel and Khitroff, who had resolved to make a landing,
sought both before and during the meeting to induce the
crew to vote for this resolution; but Bering opposed it
and put forth the last remnants of his strength and
energy to rescue the expedition. “We have still the
foremast,” he said, “and six casks of water. After
having endured so much suffering and hardship, we must
risk everything in order to reach Avacha.” Waxel and
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