,-».. ', 



184 cook s Voyage to may, 



verdure of the whole scene was strongly contrasted 

 with the sides of the surrounding hills, which were 

 still covered with snow. As the soil appeared to me 

 very capable of producing all the common sorts of 

 garden vegetables, I was greatly surprized not to find 

 the smallest spot any where cultivated. If to this, 

 we add that none of the inhabitants were possessed 

 of cattle of any sort, nothing can be well conceived 

 more wretched than their situation must be during 

 the winter months. They were at this time removing 

 from their jourts into their balagans, which afforded 

 us an opportunity of examining both these sorts of 

 habitations ; and they will be hereafter more particu- 

 larly described. The people invited us into their 

 houses with great good humour ; a general air of 

 cheerfulness and content was every where visible, to 

 which the approaching change of season might pro- 

 bably not a little contribute. 



On our return to the Town's, we found supper 

 prepared for us, which differed in nothing from our for- 

 mer repast; and concluded with our treating the Toion 

 and his wife with some of the spirits we had brought 

 with us, made into punch. Captain Gore, who had 

 great generosity on all occasions, having afterward 

 made them some valuable presents, they retired to 

 the kitchen, leaving us in possession of the outward 

 room, where spreading our bear-skins on the benches, 

 we were glad to get a little repose ; having settled 

 with our conductors to resume our journey as soon as 

 the ground should be judged fit for travelling. 



About nine o'clock the same evening, we were 

 awakened by the melancholy howlings of the dogs, 

 which continued all the time our baggage was lashing 

 upon the sledges ; but, as soon as they were yoked, 

 and we were all prepared to set out, this changed 

 into a light cheerful yelping, which entirely ceased 

 the instant they marched off. But, before we set out, 

 the reader may expect to be made more particularly 

 acquainted with this curious mode of travelling. 



