IIUSSIANDISCOVERIES. 87 



which place the fugitives were obliged to pafs. Darknefs 

 -coming on, the Ruffians landed on a rock, and pafled the 

 night alliore. Early in tlie morning they difcovered the 

 iflanders advancing towards them from the bay of Ma- 

 kufliinfk. Upon this they placed themfelves in an ad- 

 vantageous poll, and prepared for defence. 



The favages rowed clofe to the beach : part landing, 

 and part remaining in their baidars, they commenced 

 the aiPault by a volley of darts ; and notwithftanding the 

 Ruffians did great execution with their fire arms, the 

 Ikirmifli continued the whole day. Towards evening the 

 enemy retired, and the fugitives betook themfelves with 

 their canoe to an adjoining cavern. The attack was again 

 renewed during the night ; but the Ruffians were fo ad- 

 vantageoufly ported, that they repulfed the ailailants 

 without much difficulty. hi this encounter Bragcn 

 v/as ilightly wounded. They remained in this place 

 three days ;^ but the fea riling at a fpring-tide into the 

 rock, forced them to fally oat towards a neighbouring 

 cavern, which they reached without lofs, notwithftand- 

 ing the oppofitionof the iflanders. 



They were imprifoned in this cave five weeks, and kept 

 Vv'atch by turns. During that time they feldom ven- 

 tured twenty yards from the entrance ; and were obliged 

 to quench their thirft with fnow- water, and witli the 

 moifture dripping from the rock. They fuffered alfo 

 3 greatly 



