1/79. THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 1Q3 



gave us to understand was to be our residence, during 

 our stay. Two sentinels were posted at the door ; 

 and in a house adjoining, there was a Serjeant's guard. 

 Having shown us into our apartments, the major 

 took his leave, with a promise to see us the next day ; 

 and we were left to find out, at our leisure, all the 

 conveniences that he had most amply provided for 

 us. A soldier, called a putpropersckack, whose rank 

 is between that of a serjeant and corporal, along with 

 our fellow-traveller Port, were appointed to be our 

 male domestics ; besides whom, there was a house- 

 keeper and a cook, who had orders to obey Port's 

 directions in dressing us a supper, according to our 

 own mode of cookery. We received many civil 

 messages, in the course of the evening, from the 

 principal people of the town, purporting, that they 

 would not add to our fatigues, by paying their 

 respects to us at that time, but would wait on us in the 

 morning. Such well-supported politeness and atten- 

 tion in a country so desolate and uncultivated, formed 

 a contrast exceedingly favourable to its inhabitants ; 

 and to finish the piece as it began, at sun-set the 

 serjeant came with the report of his guard to Captain 

 Gore. 



Early in the mdrning, we received the compliments 

 of the commander, of Captain Shmaleff, and of the 

 principal inhabitants of the town, who all honoured 

 us with visits soon after. The two first having sent 

 for Port, after we were gone to rest, and inquired of 

 him, what articles we seemed to be most in want of 

 on board the ships ; we found them prepared to insist 

 on our sharing with the garrison under their com- 

 mand, in what little stock of provisions they had 

 remaining. At the same time they lamented, that 

 we had arrived at a season of the year, when there 

 was always the greatest scarcity of every thing 

 amongst them ; the sloops not being yet arrived, 

 with their annual supply, from Okotsk. 



We agreed to accept the liberality of these hospit- 

 VOL. vii. o 



