emed to turn back
on itself northwestward at 67 degrees 18 minutes, which proved to
Bering that Asia and America were _not_ {12} united.[8] And they had
found no "Gamaland," no new world wedged in between Asia and America,
Twice they were within only forty miles of America, touching at St.
Lawrence Island, but the fog hung like a blanket over the sea as they
passed through the waters now known as Bering Straits. They saw no
continent eastward; and Bering was compelled to return with no
knowledge but that Russia did _not_ extend into America. And yet,
there were definite signs of land eastward of Kamchatka--driftwood,
seaweed, sea-birds. Before setting out for St. Petersburg in 1729, he
had again tried to sail eastward to the Gamaland of the maps, but again
foul weather had driven him back.

It was the old story of the savants and Christopher Columbus in an
earlier day. Bering's conclusions were different from the moonshine of
the schools. There was no "Gamaland" in the sea. There was in the
maps. The learned men of St. Petersburg ridiculed the Danish sailor.
The fog was supposed to have concealed "Gamaland." There was nothing
for Bering but to retire in ignominy or prove his conclusions. He had
arrived in St. Petersburg in March, 1730. He had induced the court to
undertake a second expedition by April of the same year.[9]

{13} And for this second expedition, the court, the senate the
admiralty, and the academy of sciences decided to provide with a lavish
profusion that would dazzle the world with the brilliancy of Russian
exploits. Russia was in the mood to do things. The young savants who
thronged her capital were heady with visionary theories that were to
astonish the rest of mortals. Scientists, artisans, physicians,
monks, Cossacks, historians, made up the motley roll of conflicting
influences under Bering's command; but because Bering was a Dane, this
command was not supreme. He must convene a council of the Russian
officers under him, submit all his plans to their vote, then abide by
their decision. Yet he alone must carry responsibility for blunders.
And as the days went on, details of instructions rolling out from
admiralty, senate, and academy were like an avalanche gathering impetus
to destruction from its weight. He was to establish new industries in
Siberia. He was to chart the whole Arctic coast line of Asia. He was
to Christianize the natives. He was to provide the travelling
acade