As we had advanced to the N.E., we had found the depth of water gradually decreasing, and the coast trending more and more northerly.  But the ridge of mountains behind it continued to lie in the same direction as those more westerly; so that the extent of the low land, between the foot of the mountains and the sea-coast, insensibly increased.  Both high and low grounds were perfectly destitute of wood; but seemed to be covered with a green turf, except the mountains, which were covered with snow.  Continuing to steer along the coast, with a gentle breeze, westerly, the water gradually shoaled from fifteen to ten fathoms, though we were at the distance of eight or ten miles from the shore.  At eight in the evening, an elevated mountain, which had been in sight for some time, bore S.E. by E., twenty-one leagues distant.  Some other mountains, belonging to the same chain, and much farther distant, bore E. 3 deg.  N. The coast extended as far as N.E. 1/2 N., where it seemed to terminate in a point, beyond which we hoped and expected, that it would take a more easterly direction.  But, soon after, we discovered low land, extending from behind this point, as far as N.W. by W., where it was lost in the horizon; and behind it was high land, that appeared in detached hills.

Thus the fine prospect we had of getting to the north vanished in a moment.  I stood on till nine o’clock, for so long it was light, and then the point above mentioned bore N.E. 1/2 E., about three miles distant.  Behind this point is a river, the entrance of which seemed to be a mile broad; but I can say nothing as to its depth.  The water appeared to be discoloured, as upon shoals, but a calm would have given it the same aspect.  It seemed to have a winding direction, through the great flat that lies between the chain of mountains to the S.E., and the hills to the N.W.  It must abound with salmon, as we saw many leaping in the sea before the entrance; and some were found in the maws of cod which we had caught.  The entrance of this river, distinguished by the name of Bristol River, lies in the latitude of 58 deg. 27’, and in the longitude of 201 deg. 55’.[1]

[Footnote 1:  Mr Arrowsmith lays down this river, but without naming it.  Mr Coxe does neither.  Both of them specify Bristol Bay.  Mr A.’s delineation of the coast of the peninsular projection, corresponds extremely well with Captain Cook’s description.—­E.]

Having spent the night in making short boards, at day-break on the morning of the 10th, we made sail to the W.S.W., with a gentle breeze at N.E.  At eleven o’clock, we thought the coast to the N.W. terminated in a point, bearing N.W. by W.; and as we had now deepened the water from nine to fourteen fathoms, I steered for the point, ordering the Discovery to keep ahead.  But before she had run a mile, she made a signal for shoal water.  At that instant we had the depth of seven fathoms; and before we could get the ship’s head the other way, had less than five; but the Discovery had less than four.