Page:Narrative of a Voyage around the World - 1843.djvu/135

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1837.]
PORT MULGRAYE.
83

eight, and as suddenly deepening again to forty, until reaching the ledge off Cape Turner, when it exceeded the length of our handlines.

The observations in Vancouver were sufficient to have taken us in, but we picked up Kellett off Cape Turner, and instantly availed ourselves of his later examination of the port. We took up our berth close round the low gravelly point of the island, in thirteen fathoms, within three hundred yards of the beach.

The Starling had only arrived three days before us, having been, like ourselves, delayed nine days by currents and baffling winds. The day was sufficiently fine to enable me to secure all the requisite observations for latitude, time, astronomical bearings, and altitudes of St. Elias and Fairweather, as well as magnetic details.

The principal chief of this tribe, Anoutchy, paid his visit of ceremony, accompanied by his lady. Better specimens of the improved state of the Indians I have not seen. Both were clean, and well-dressed; the chief by the aid of an old coat and trowsers bestowed on him by Kellett; and his lady in a dark-coloured cotton gown with blue and scarlet cloak, á la robe, over all. He had assumed the name of Iwan Iwatsky, probably in compliment to one of the Russian traders, who frequently visit this port.

Their manners were good, even in some degree polished; and although not particularly well-bred

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