SECTION V.

Return to the Harbour of Saint Peter and St Paul.—­Promotion of Officers.—­ Funeral of Captain Clerke.—­Damages of the Discovery repaired.—­Various other Occupations of the Ships’ Crews.—­Letters from the Commander.—­Supply of Flour and Naval Stores from a Russian Galliot.—­Account of an Exile.—­ Bear-hunting and fishing Parties.—­Disgrace of the Serjeant.—­Celebration of the King’s Coronation Day, and Visit from the Commander.—­The Serjeant reinstated.—­A Russian Soldier promoted at our Request.—­Remarks on the Discipline of the Russian Army.—­Church at Paratounca.—­Method of Bear-hunting—­Farther Account of the Bears and Kamtschadales.—­Inscription to the Memory of Captain Clerke.—­Supply of Cattle.—­Entertainments on the Empress’s Name Day.—­Present from the Commander.—­Attempt of a Marine to desert.—­Work out of the Bay.—­Nautical and Geographical Description of Awatska Bay.—­Astronomical Tables and Observations.

I sent Mr Williamson to acquaint Captain Gore with the death of Captain Clerke, and received a letter from him, ordering me to use all my endeavours to keep in company with the Discovery; and, in case of a separation, to make the best of my way to the harbour of Saint Peter and Saint Paul.  At noon, we were in latitude 53 deg. 8’ N., longitude 160 deg. 40’ E., with Cheepoonskoi Noss bearing W. We had light airs in the afternoon, which lasted through the forenoon of the 23d.  At noon, a fresh breeze springing up from the eastward, we stood in for the entrance of Awatska Bay; and, at six in the evening, saw it bearing W.N.W. 1/2 W., distant five leagues.  At eight, the light-house, in which we now found a good light, bore N.W. by W., three miles distant.  The wind about this time died away; but the tide being in our favour, we sent the boats ahead, and towed beyond the narrow parts of the entrance; and, at one o’clock in the morning of the 24th, the ebb tide setting against us, we dropped anchor.  At nine we weighed, and turned up the bay with light airs, and the boats still ahead till one; when, by the help of a fresh breeze, we anchored before three in the afternoon in the harbour of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, with our ensign half staff up, on account of our carrying the body of our late captain, and were soon after followed by the Discovery.

We had no sooner anchored than our old friend the serjeant, who was still the commander of the place, came on board with a present of berries, intended for our poor deceased captain.  He was exceedingly affected when we told him of his death, and shewed him the coffin that contained his body.  And as it was Captain Clerke’s particular request to be buried on shore, and, if possible, in the church of Paratounca, we took the present opportunity of explaining this matter to the serjeant, and consulting with him about the proper steps to be taken on the occasion.  In the course of our conversation, which, for want of an interpreter, was carried on but