172 COOK'S VOYAGE TO APRIL, 



unacquainted, but of a very excellent taste. After 

 having eaten a part of this it was taken off, and we 

 were served with fish dressed two different ways, and 

 soon after the bird again made its appearance, in sa- 

 voury and sweet pates. Our liquor, of which I shall 

 have to speak hereafter, was of the kind called by 

 the Russians quass, and was much the worse part of 

 the entertainment. The Serjeant's wife brought in 

 several of the dishes herself, and was not permitted 

 to sit down at table. Having finished our repast, 

 during which it is hardly necessary to remark that 

 our conversation was confined to a few bows, and 

 other signs of mutual respect, we endeavoured to 

 open to our host the cause and objects of our visit to 

 this port. As Ismyloff had probably written to them 

 on the same subject in the letters we had before de- 

 livered, he appeared very readily to conceive our 

 meaning ; but as there was unfortunately no one in 

 the place that could talk any other language except 

 Russian or Kamtschatdale, we found the utmost diffi- 

 culty in comprehending the information he meant to 

 convey to us. After some time spent in these en- 

 deavours to understand one another, we conceived 

 the sum of the intelligence we had procured to be, 

 that though no supply either of provisions or naval 

 stores were to be had at this place, yet that these 

 articles were in great plenty at Bolcheretsk. That 

 the commander would most probably be very willing 

 to give us what we wanted; but that till the Serjeant 

 had received orders from him, neither he nor his 

 people, nor the natives, could even venture to go on 

 board the ship. 



It was now time for us to take our leave, and as 

 my clothes were still to wet to put on, I was obliged 

 to have recourse again to the Serjeant's benevolence, 

 for his leave to carry those I had borrowed of him 

 on board. This request was complied with very 

 cheerfully, and a sledge drawn by five dogs, with a 

 driver, was immediately provided for each of our 



