Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - Chapter XVIII.
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Khitroff immediately endeavored to counteract the
influence of this good advice, but the subordinates were in
doubt, and would not sign any resolution except on the
condition that the officers expressly assured them of the fact
that the adjacent coast was Kamchatka. This Khitroff
finally took upon himself to do, and so partly through
compulsion and partly through persuasion the lieutenants
succeeded in securing a majority for their proposition.
But even yet Bering sought to save his convictions, and
appealed to the reduced Lieutenant Ofzyn, who had had
charge of the explorations from the Obi to the Yenesei
and was now serving as a sailor on board the St. Peter;
but as he immediately expressed his agreement with
Bering, he was in most abusive language driven from
the cabin. Under these circumstances Steller found it
useless to support Bering. He confined himself to
certifying to the very great enervation of the crew. Before
the council adjourned, it was resolved to make for the
coast, where the lieutenants, in an open bay, expected to
find a harbor.
Before an easy northeast breeze, the St. Peter drifted
toward the coast, without helmsman or commander. The
chief lay at death’s door in his cabin, Waxel and Khitroff
were seeking rest and quiet, and not until the ship lay
about four miles from land did Steller induce Bering to
order them on deck. They soon began to sound, and
one verst from shore they cast anchor. Night came on
with bright moonlight. The ebb-tide receded over the
rocky beach, producing heavy breakers. In these the
ship was tossed about like a ball, until finally the cable
snapped. They now expected to be dashed against the
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