R U S S I i\ N D I S C O V E R I E S. 141 



On his return he found one of the crew dead, and a 

 dreadful fcurvy raging amongft the reil:; of that diftem- 

 per five Ruffians died in March, eight and a Kamtchadal 

 in April, and fix more in May. About this time the iflan- 

 ders were obferved to pay frequent. vifits to the hofiiages ; 

 and upon enquiring privately into the reafon, fome of 

 the latter difcovered, that the inhabitants of Makufiiinflc 

 had formed the defign of cutting off the crew, and of 

 making; themfelves mafters of the vefiel. Solovioff had 

 now great reafons to be apprehenfive, for the crew were 

 affli(n:ed with the fcurvy to fuch a violent degree, that out 

 of the whole number only twelve perfons were capable 

 of defending themfelveSi Thefe circumftances did not 

 efcape the obfervation of the natives; and they were ac- 

 cordingly infpired with frefli courage to renew their, 

 hoftilities. 



On the 27th of May the Ruffians perceived the Toigon 

 of Itchadak, who had formerly paid a voluntary tribute, 

 near the fiiore : he was accompanied by feveral iflanders 

 in three baidars. Solovioff calling to him by the inter- 

 preter he came on flaore, but kept at a diftance defiring 

 a conference with fome of his relations. Solovioff gave 

 orders to feize him ; and they were lucky enough to -take 

 him prifoner, together with two of his companions. He 

 immediately confefTed, that he had come with a view of 

 enquiringXof the holtages how many Ruffians were ftill 

 remaining : having procured the necelTary intelligence, 



his 



