cern, on the north, island after island, ghostlike
through the mist, rocky, towering, majestic, with a thunder of surf
among the caves, a dim outline of mountains above, like Loki, Spirit of
Evil, smiling stonily at the dark forces closing round these puny men.
All along Kadiak, the roily waters told of reefs. The air was heavy
with fogs thick to the touch; and violent winds constantly threatened a
sudden shift that might drive the vessel on the rocks. At midnight on
August 1, they suddenly found themselves with only three feet of water
below the keel. Fortunately there was no wind, but the fog was like
ink. By swinging into a current, that ran a mill-race, they were
carried out to eighteen fathoms {29} of water, where they anchored till
daybreak. They called this place Foggy Island. To-day it is known as
Ukamok.

[Illustration: The _St. Peter_ and _St. Paul_, from a rough sketch by
Bering's comrade, Steller, the scientist.]

The underlings now came sharply to their senses and, at the repeatedly
convened and distracted councils between July 25 and August 10, decided
that there was only one thing to do--sail at once for the home port of
Kamchatka. The _St. Peter_ was tossing about in frightful winds among
reefs and hurricane fog like a cork. Half the crew lay ill and
helpless of scurvy, {30} and only two months' provisions remained for a
voyage of two thousand miles. The whole crew signed the resolution to
go home.

Only twenty-five casks of water remained. On August 30 the _St. Peter_
anchored off a group of thirteen bald, bare, treeless rocks. It was
thought that if some of the scurvy-stricken sailors could be carried
ashore, they might recover. One, Shumagin, died as he was lifted
ashore. This was the first death, and his name was given to the
islands. Bering himself was so ill he could not stand. Twenty
emaciated men were laid along the shore. Steller hurried off to hunt
anti-scorbutic plants, while Waxel, who had taken command, and Khitroff
ordered the water-casks filled. Unfortunately the only pool they could
find was connected with an arm of the sea. The water was brackish, and
this afterward increased disease.

A fatality seemed to hang over the wonder world where they wandered.
Voices were heard in the storm, rumblings from the sea. Fire could be
seen through the fog. Was this fire from volcanoes or Indians? And
such a tide-rip thundered along the rocks as shook the earth and set
the sh