T H E P A C I F I C O C E A N. 189 



was much the word: part of the entertainment. The Ser- '779- 

 jeant's wife brought in feveral of the difhes herfelf, and was 

 not permitted to lit down at table. Having finifhed our re- 

 paft, during which it is hardly necefTary to remark, that 

 our converfation was confined to a few bows, and other 

 figns of mutual refpec5t, we endeavoured to open to our hoft 

 the caufe and objects of our vifit to this port. As IfmylofF 

 had probably written to them on the fame fubjeft, in the 

 letters we had before delivered, he appeared very readily to 

 conceive our meaning; but as there was unfortunately no 

 one in the place that could talk any other language except 

 Ruffian or Kamtfchadale, we found the utmoft difficulty in 

 comprehending the information he meant to convey to us. 

 After fome time fpent in thefe endeavours to undcrftand 

 one another, we conceived the fum of the intelligence we 

 had procured to be, that though no fupply, cither of provi- 

 fions or naval (lores were to be had at this place, yet that 

 thefe articles were in great plenty at Bolchcretfk. That the 

 Commander would, moll probably, be very willing to give 

 us what we wanted; but that, till the Serjeant had received 

 orders from him, neither he nor his people, nor the natives, 

 could even venture to go on board the (hip. 



It was now time for us to take our leave ; and, as my 

 clothes were ftill too wet to put on, I was obliged to have 

 rccourfc again to the Serjeant's benevolence, for his leave to 

 carry thofe I had borrowed of him on board. This requeft 

 was complied with very cheerfully, and a fledge, drawn by 

 five dogs, with a driver, was immediately provided for each 

 of our party. The failors were highly delighted with this 

 mode of conveyance; and what diverted them ftill more 

 was, that the two boat-hooks had alfo a fledge appropriated 

 to themfelves. Thefe fledges are fo light, and their con- 

 3 ftrudiioa 



