mss142-vasilevShishmarev-i3-039

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rather than return to shore where unfriendly action from the
Indians undoubtedly awaited us. Suddenly, there came a terrible
squall and broke both masts. To row out against the wind and
the surf was impossible. We did not know any other place to
go ashore and could not search in the dark. There remained
for us no other way but to return to shore. Our situation was
critical because our firearms were wet. It was necessary
first to put them back into proper order, and after that, de-
cided to go ashore again. For this reason, we anchored [grap-
nel], and having finished this job, went again to shore.

The Indians [Eskimos] seeing that, dashed to the landing place,
shouting, and seemingly wanted to prevent us from landing. We
did not pay attention to them, and only waved our handkerchiefs
and shouted "Toki! "Toki!" They quieted down and let us come
ashore and pitch our tents. Then the captain ordered us to
present the rest of the trade goods to the chief and the principal
warriors who were easily distinguishable because of the
respect paid to them by the rest of the crowd. We asked them
to withdraw to their settlement and to leave us alone. All
was in vain. They thronged near the tents, shouting "Toki!"
Toki!" and even started to pilfer various things from the
sailors, among other things, a cover from a large copper
kettle and a long kitchen knife. Probably we would not have
been able to get rid of them the whole night, and God knows
how it would have ended, if Mr. Petrov, our senior pilot, had not
thought of taking advantage of their superstitions to get