With these views, I steered over for the American coast; and, at five in the afternoon the next day, saw land bearing S. 1/4 E., which we took to be Anderson’s Island, or some other land near it, and therefore did not wait to examine it.  On the 6th, at four in the morning, we got sight of the American coast near Sledge Island; and at six, the same evening, this island bore N., 6 deg.  E., ten leagues distant; and the easternmost land in sight N., 49 deg.  E. If any part of what I had supposed to be American coast could possibly be the island of Alaschka, it was that now before us; and in that case, I must have missed the channel between it and the main, by steering to the west, instead of the east, after we first fell in with it.  I was not, therefore, at a loss where to go, in order to clear up these doubts.

At eight in the evening of the 7th, we had got close in with the land, Sledge Island bearing N. 85 deg.  W., eight or nine leagues distant; and the eastern part of the coast N. 70 deg.  E., with high land in the direction of E. by N., seemingly at a great distance beyond the point.  At this time we saw a light ashore, and two canoes, filled with people, coming off toward us.  I brought-to, that they might have time to come up.  But it was to no purpose; for, resisting all the signs of friendship we could exhibit, they kept at the distance of a quarter of a mile; so that we left them, and pursued our course along the coast.

At one in the morning of the 8th, finding the water shoal pretty fast, we dropped anchor in ten fathoms, where we lay until day-light, and then resumed our course along the coast, which we found to trend E., and E. 1/2 S. At seven in the evening, we were abreast of a point, lying in the latitude of 64 deg. 21’, and in the longitude of 197 deg., beyond which the coast takes a more northerly direction.  At eight, this point, which obtained the name of Cape Darby, bore S. 62 deg.  W.; the northernmost land in sight, N. 32 deg.  E., and the nearest shore three miles distant.  In this situation we anchored in thirteen fathoms water, over a muddy bottom.

Next morning, at day-break, we weighed, and sailed along the coast.  Two islands, as we supposed them to be, were at that time seen, the one bearing S. 70 deg.  E., and the other E. Soon after, we found ourselves upon a coast covered with wood; an agreeable sight, to which of late we had not been accustomed.  As we advanced to the north, we raised land in the direction of N.E. 1/2 N., which proved to be a continuation of the coast we were upon.  We also saw high land over the islands, seemingly at a good distance beyond them.  This was thought to be the continent, and the other land the island of Alaschka.  But it was already doubtful, whether we should find a passage between them; for the water shoaled insensibly as we advanced further to the north.  In this situation, two boats were sent to sound before the ships, and I ordered the Discovery to lead, keeping