RUSSIANDISCOVERIES. 95 



the veflel deftroyed. It was now certain that the feventy 

 iflanders above-mentioned had come with hoftile inten- 

 tions. This information fpread fuch a fiidden panic 

 among the Ruffians, that it was even propofed to burn 

 the veffel, and to endeavour to find their companions, 

 who were gone upon hunting parties. 



Natives 



That day however pafled without any attack : but towards J^ickld'by"the 

 the evening of the loth of December, the favages af- 

 fembled in large bodies, and inveiled the hut on all 

 fides. Four days and nights they never ceafed annoying 

 the Ruffians with their darts ; two of the latter wero 

 killed, and the furvivors were nearly exhaufted by con- 

 tinual fatigue. Upon the fifth day the iflanders took poft 

 in a neighbouring cavern, where they continued watch- 

 ing the Ruffians fo clofely during a whole month, that 

 none of the latter durft venture fifty paces from 

 their dwelling. Korovin, finding himfelf thus annoyed 

 by the natives, ordered t?he hut to be deftroyed : he 

 then retired to his veflRil, which was brought for greater 

 fecurity out of the mouth of the rivulet to the diftance of 

 an hundred yards from the beach. There they lay at 

 anchor from the 5th of March to the 26th of April, 

 during which time they fufFered greatly from want of 

 provifion, and ftill more from the fcurvy. 



During 



