RUSSTANDISCOVERIES. 3J 



-and threw them fome fragments of dried fifli in order to 

 entice them to approach nearer. But as this overture 

 did not fucceed, Tfiuproff, who was one of the party, 

 ordered fome of the crew to mount the height, and to 

 feize one of the inhabitants, for the purpofe of learning 

 their language : this order was accordingly executed, 

 notwithftanding the refinance wliich the iflanders made 

 with their bone fpears ; the Ruffians immediately re- 

 turned with their prifoner to the lliip. They were foon 

 afterwards driven to fea by a violent florm, and beat 

 about from the 2d to the 9th of O^ftober, during which 

 time they loft their anchor and boat ; at length they 

 came back to the fame ifland, where they pafTed the 

 winter. 



Soon after their landing they found in an adjacent hut 

 the dead bodies of two of the inhabitants, who had pro- 

 bably been killed in the lail encounter. In their way the 

 Ruffians were met by an old woman, who had been taken 

 prifoner, and fet at liberty. She was accompanied, with 

 thirty-four iilander.s of both fexes, who all came dancing 

 to the found of a drum ; and brought with them a pre- 

 fent of coloured earth. Pieces of cloth, thimbles, and 

 needles, were diftributed among them in return ; and 

 they parted amicably. Before the end of Ocflober, the 

 fame perfons, together with the olil woman and feveral 

 children, returned dancing as before, and brought birds, 

 fifli, and other provifion. Having pafTed the night with 



F the 



