J 77f). THE PACIFIC OCEAN'. 179 



CHAP. II. 



SCARCITY OF PROVISIONS AND STORES AT THE HARBOUR OF 



SAINT PETER AND SAINT PAUL. A PARTY SET OUT TO VISIT 



THE COMMANDER AT BOLCHERETSK. PASSAGE UP THE 



RIVER AWATSKA. ACCOUNT OF THEIR RECEPTION BY THE 



TOION OF KARATCHIN. DESCRIPTION OF A KAMTSCHADALE 



DRESS. JOURNEY ON SLEDGES. DESCRIPTION OF THIS 



MODE OF TRAVELLING. ARRIVAL AT NATCHEEKIN. 



ACCOUNT OF HOT SPRINGS. EMBARK ON THE BOLCHOIREKA. 



RECEPTION AT THE CAPITAL. — GENEROUS AND HOSPIT- 

 ABLE CONDUCT OF THE COMMANDER AND THE GARRISON. 



DESCRIPTION OF BOLCHERETSK. PRESENTS FROM THE COM- 

 MANDER. RUSSIAN AND KAMTSCHADALE DANCING. 



AFFECTING DEPARTURE FROM BOLCHERETSK. RETURN 



TO SAINT PETER AND SAINT PAUL'S, ACCOMPANIED BY 



MAJOR BEHM, WHO VISITS THE SHIPS. GENEROSITY OF 



THE SAILORS. DISPATCHES SENT BY MAJOR BEHM TO 



PETERSBURG. HIS DEPARTURE AND CHARACTER. 



JDeing now enabled to converse with the Russians, 

 by the aid of our interpreter, with tolerable facility, 

 our first inquires were directed to the means of pro- 

 curing a supply of fresh provisions, and naval stores ; 

 from the want of which latter article, in particular, 

 we had been for some time in great distress. On 

 inquiry, it appeared, that the whole stock of live 

 cattle, which the country about the bay could furnish, 

 amounted only to two heifers ; and these the serjeant 

 very readily promised to procure us. Our applications 

 were next made to the merchant, but we found the 

 terms upon which he offered to serve us, so exorbitant, 

 that Captain Clerke thought it necessary to send an 

 officer to visit the commander at Bolcheretsk, and to 

 inquire into the price of stores at that place. Assoon as 

 this determination was communicated to M. Port, he 

 dispatched an express to the commander, to inform 



N 2 



