A P P E N D I X I. 265 



fea-cat, and afterwards the Scivutcha, or fea-lion. The 

 flefli of the latter is prepared for food, and it is very deli- 

 cate. They carry the skins of thefe fea-animals to the 

 Eaflern illands. Next fummer they go Eaftward, to the 

 Fox-iflands; and again lay their Ihips up for the winter. 

 They then endeavour to procure, either by perfuafion 

 or force, the children of the inhabitants, particularly of 

 the Tookoos, as hoftages. This being accompli (lied, 

 they deliver to the inhabitants fox-traps, and alfo skins 

 for their boats, for which they oblige them to bring furs 

 and provifions during the winter. After obtaining from 

 them a certain quantity of furs, by way of tax, for which 

 they give them quittances ; the Ruffians pay for the rell 

 in beads, faUe pearls, goat's wool, copper kettles, hatchets^ 

 &;c. In the fpring they get back their traps, and deliver 

 up their hoilages. They dare not hunt alone, nor in 

 fmall numbers, on account of the hatred of the natives. 

 Thefe people could not, for fome time, comprehend for 

 what purpofe the Ruffians impofed a tribute of fkins, 

 which were not to be their own property, but belonged 

 to an abfent perfon ; for their Tookoos have no revenue. 

 Nor could they be made to believe, that there were any 

 more Ruffians than thofe who came among them; for 

 in their own country all the men of an iiland go out - 

 together. At prefent they comprehend fomething of 

 Kamtchatka, by means of the Kamtchadals and Koriacs 

 who come along with the Ruffians ; and on their arrival 



M m love 



