1779. THE TACIFIC ocean. 187 



shape somewhat like the Pomeranian breed, but 

 considerably larger. 



, As we did not choose to trust to our own skill, we 

 had each of us a man to drive and guide the sledge^ 

 which, from the state the roads were now in, proved 

 a very laborious business. For, as the thaw had 

 advanced very considerably in the valleys through 

 which our road lay, we were under the necessity of 

 keeping along the sides of the hills ; and this obliged 

 our guides, who were provided with snow-shoes for 

 that purpose, to support the sledges, on the lower 

 side, with their shoulders, for several miles together. 

 I had a very good-humoured Cossack to attend me, 

 who was, however, so very unskilful in his business, 

 that we were overturned almost every minute, to the 

 great entertainment of the rest of the company. 

 Our party consisted, in all, of ten sledges; that in 

 which Captain Gore was carried, was made of two 

 lashed together, and abundantly provided with furs 

 and bear-skins; it had ten dogs, yoked four abreast; 

 as had also some of those that were heavy laden with 

 baggage. 



When we had proceeded about four miles, it began 

 to rain ; which, added to the darkness of the night, 

 threw us all into confusion. It was at last agreed, 

 that we should remain where we were till day-light ; 

 and accordingly we came to anchor in the snow (for 

 I cannot better express the manner in which the 



credit ; and whose authority / shall therefore frequently have re- 

 course to, relates instances of this kind that are much more sur- 

 prising. " Travelling parties," says he, " are often overtaken 

 with dreadful storms of snow, on the approach of which, they 

 drive with the utmost precipitation into the nearest "wood, and there 

 are obliged to stay, till the tempest, which frequently lasts six 

 or seven days, is over ; the dogs remaining all this while quiet 

 and inoffensive ; except that sometimes, when prest by hunger, 

 they will devour their reins, and the other leathern parts of the 

 harness." 



History and Description of Kamschatka, by Kraschininikojf* 



