of the oftrog. Nothing could exceed the kindnefs and hofpitality of his behaviour, after he had recovered from the alarm occafioned by our arrival. We found the house infufferably hot, but exceedingly neat and clean. After I had changed my wet clothes, which the fergeant's civility enabled me to do, by furnishing me with a com plete fuit of his own, we were invited to fit down to dinner, which I have no doubt was the beft he could procure; and, confidering the shortness of time he had to provide it, was managed with fome ingenuity. The fergeant's wife brought in feveral difhes herfelf, and was not permitted to fit down at table. Having finished our repaft, during which it is hardly neceffary to remark that our conversation was confined to a few bows, and other figns of mutual respect, we endeavoured to open to our hoft the cause and objects of our vifit to this port. As Ifmyloff had probably written to them on the fame fubject in the letters we had before delivered, he appeared very readily to conceive our meaning; but as there was unfortunately no one in the place that could talk any other language except Ruffian or Kamtfchadale, we found the utmoft difficulty in comprehending the information he meant to convey to us. After fome time spent in these endeavours to underftand one another, we conceived the fum of the intelligence we had procured to be, that though no fupply, either of provifions or naval ftores were to be had at this place, yet that thefe articles were in great plenty at Bolcheretik. That the commander would moft probably be very willing to give us what we wanted; but that, til! the fergeant had received orders from him, nei Cc 2 th ther he nor his people, nor the natives, could even venture to go on board the. fhip. It was now time for us to take our leave; and a fledge, drawn by five dogs, with a driver, was immediately provided for each of our party. The failors were highly delighted with this mode of conveyance; and what diverted them ftill more was, that the two boat-hooks had also a fledge appropriated to themfelves. Thefe fledges are fo light, and their construction so well adapted to the purposes for which they are intended, that they went with great expedition, and perfect fafety over the ice, which it would have been impoffible for us, with all our caution, to have paised on foot. On our return, we found the boats towing the fhip towards the village; and at feven we got clofe to the ice, and moored. Next morning the carpenters were set to work to stop the leak, which had given us so much trouble during our laft run. Several of our gentlemen paid their visits to the fergeant, by whom they were received with great civility; and Captain Clerke fent him two bottles of rum, which he understood would be the most acceptable prefent he could make him, and receiv ed in return fome fine fowls of the grouse kind, and twenty trouts. The following morning, on our obferving two fledges drive into the village, Captain Clerke fent me on fhore, to enquire whether any meffage was arrived from the commander of Kamtfchatka, which, according to the fergeant's account, might now be expected, in confequence of the intelligence that had been sent of our arrival. Bolcheretik, by the ufual route, is about one hun dred ther he nor his people, nor the natives, could even venture to go on board the ship. It was now time for us to take our leave; and a fledge, drawn by five dogs, with a driver, was immediately provided for each of our party. The failors were highly delighted with this mode of conveyance; and what diverted them ftill more was, that the two boat-hooks had also a fledge appropriated to themfelves. These fledges are fo light, and their conftruction fo well adapted to the purposes for which they are intended, that they went with great expedition, and perfect fafety over the ice, which it would have been impoffible for us, with all our caution, to have paffed on foot. On our return, we found the boats towing the fhip towards the village; and at feven we got clofe to the ice, and moored. Next morning the carpenters were fet to work to ftop the leak, which had given us so much trouble during our laft run. Several of our gentlemen paid their vifits to the fergeant, by whom they were received with great civility; and Captain Clerke fent him two bottles of rum, which he understood would be the moft acceptable present he could make him, and receiv ed in return fome fine fowls of the grouse kind, and twenty trouts. The following morning, on our obferving two fledges drive into the village, Captain Clerke fent me on fhore, to enquire whether any meffage was arrived from the commander of Kamtfchatka, which, according to the fergeant's account, might now be expected, in confequence of the intelligence that had been fent of our arrival. Bolcheretik, by the usual route, is about one hun dred |