JOHN LEDYARD. 281 



went out to see how those Russian adventurers were 

 situated. I found the whole village to contain about 

 thirty huts, all of which were built partly under 

 ground, and covered with turf at the bottom and 

 coarse grass at the top. The only circumstance 

 that can recommend them is their warmth, which is 

 occasioned partly by their manner of construction, 

 and partly by a kind of oven in which they con- 

 stantly keep a fire night and day. They sleep on 

 platforms built on each side of the hut, on which 

 they have a number of bear and other skins which 

 render them comfortable ; and, as they have been 

 educated in a hardy manner, they need little or no 

 other support than what they procure from the sea 

 and from hunting. The number of Russians was 

 about thirty, and they had with them about seventy 

 Kamtschadales, or Indians from Kamtschatka. 

 These, with some of the American Indians, whom 

 they had entered into friendship with, occupied the 

 village, enjoyed every benefit in common with the 

 Russians, and were converts to their religion. Such 

 other of the aborigines of the island as had not 

 become converts to their sentiments in religious 

 and civil matters were excluded from such privi- 

 leges, and were prohibited from wearing certain 

 arms. 



"I also found a small sloop, of about thirty tons' 



