202 cook's voyage to may, 



on taking leave of their friends. In this manner we 

 marched down to the commander's house, preceded 

 by the drums and music of the garrison, where we 

 were received by Madame Behm, attended by the 

 ladies, who were dressed in long silk cloaks, lined 

 with very valuable furs of different colours, which 

 made a most magnificent appearance. After par- 

 taking of some refreshment, that was prepared for 

 us, we went down to the water side, accompanied by 

 the ladies, who now joined the song with the rest of 

 the inhabitants; and as soon as we had taken leave 

 of Madame Behm, and assured her of the grateful 

 sense we should ever retain of the hospitality of Bol- 

 cheretsk, we found ourselves too much affected, not 

 to hasten into the boats with all the expedition we 

 could. When we put off, the whole company gave 

 us three cheers, which we returned from the boat ; 

 and, as we were doubling a point, where for the last 

 time we saw our friendly entertainers, they took their 

 farewell in another cheer. 



We found the stream, on our return, so exceed- 

 ingly rapid that notwithstanding the Cossacks and 

 Kamtschadales used their utmost exertions, we did 

 not reach the first village, Opatchin, till the evening 

 of the 17th, which was at the rate of about twenty 

 miles a-day. We got to Natcheekin on the 19th ; 

 and on the 20th, we crossed the plain to Karatchin. 

 We found the road much better than when we had 

 passed it before, there having been a smart frost on 

 the night of the 19th. On the 21st, we proceeded 

 down the Awatska River; and, before it was dark, 

 got over the shoals which lie at the entrance of the 

 bay. During the whole course of our journey, we 

 were much pleased with the great good-will with 

 which the Toions, and their Kamtschadales, afforded 

 us their assistance, at the different ostrogs through 

 which we passed; and I could not but observe the 

 pleasure that appeared in their countenances, on 



