170 COOK'S VOYAGE TO APRIL, 



As we approached the shore we found the ice, 

 contrary to our expectations, more broken than it 

 had been before. We were, however, again com- 

 forted by the sight of another sledge coming toward 

 us, but instead of proceeding to our relief the driver 

 stopt short, and began to call out to us. I immedi- 

 ately held up to him IsmylofFs letters ; upon which 

 he turned about and set off back again full speed, 

 followed, I believe, not with the prayers of any of 

 our party. Being at a great loss what conclusions to 

 draw from this unaccountable behaviour, we continued 

 our march toward the ostrog with great circumspec- 

 tion, and when we had arrived within a quarter of a 

 mile of it, we perceived a body of armed men 

 marching toward us. That we might give them as 

 little alarm and have as peaceable an appearance as 

 possible, the two men who had boat-hooks in their 

 hands were ordered into the rear, and Mr. Webber 

 and myself marched in front. The Russian party, 

 consisting of about thirty soldiers, was headed by a 

 decent-looking person, with a cane in his hand. He 

 halted within a few yards of us, and drew up his 

 men in a martial and good order. I delivered to him 

 IsmylofPs letters, and endeavoured to make him un- 

 derstand, as well as I could (though I afterward 

 found in vain), that we were English, and had 

 brought them papers from Oonalashka. After having 

 examined us attentively, he began to conduct us 

 toward the village in great silence and solemnity, 

 frequently halting his men to form them in different 

 manners, and making them perform several parts of 

 their manual exercise, probably with a view to show 

 us that if we had the temerity to offer any violence, 

 we should have to deal with men who were not igno- 

 rant of their business. 



Though I was all this time in my wet clothes, 

 shivering with cold and sufficiently inclined to the 

 most unconditional submission, without having my 

 fears violently alarmed, yet it was impossible not to 



