THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 197 



could furnifh, amounted only to two heifers ; and thefe the J779- 

 ferjeant very readily promifed to procure us. Our applica- '-■ -« - -j 

 tions were next made to the merchant, but we found the 

 terms, upon which he offered to ferve us, fo exorbitant, 

 that Captain Clerke thought it neceffary to fend an officer to 

 vifit the Commander at Bolcheretfk, and to inquire into the 

 price of ftores at that place. As foon as this determi- 

 nation was communicated to Mr. Port, he difpatched an 

 exprefs to the Commander, to inform him of our intentions, 

 and, at the fame time, to clear us from the fufpicions that 

 were entertained with refpecl: to the defignation and purpofes 

 of our voyage. 



Captain Clerke having thought proper to fix on me for Tuefday +. 

 this fervice, I received orders, together with Mr. Webber, 

 who was to accompany me as interpreter, to be ready to fet 

 out the next day. It proved, however, too flormy, as did Wednef.5. 

 alfo the 6th, for beginning a journey through fo wild and Thurfdayfi. 

 defolate a country ; but, on the 7th, the weather appearing tridayy. 

 more favourable, we fet out early in the morning in the 

 fhip's boats, with a view to reach the entrance of the 

 Awatfka at high water, on account of the fhoals with which 

 the mouth of that river abounds : here the country boats 

 were to meet us, and carry us up the flream. 



Captain Gore was now added to our party, and we were 

 attended by Meffrs. Port and Fedofitfch, with two coffacks, 

 and were provided, by our conductors, with warm furred 

 clothing ; a precaution which we foon found very neccf- 

 fary, as it began to mow brifkly juft after we fet out. At 

 eight o'clock, being (topped by fhoal water, about a mile 

 from the mouth of the river, fome fmall canoes, belonging 

 to the Kamtfchadalcs, took up us and our baggage, and 



carried 



