THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 



the river, the guides were not acquainted with the fituation »779- 

 of the fhifting fand-banks, and unfortunately the fnow not w.-y-— 

 having yet begun to melt, the fhallownefs of the river was 

 at its extreme. 



The fatigue our men had already undergone, and the dif- 

 ficulty of navigating the river, which would have been 

 much increafed by the darknefs of the night, obliged us to 

 give up all thoughts of continuing our journey that even- 

 ing. Having therefore found a place tolerably fheltered, 

 and cleared it of the fnow, we erected a fmall marquee, which 

 we had brought with us; and, by the afliftancc of a brifk 

 lire, and fome good punch, palled the night not very un- 

 . pleafantly. The only inconvenience we laboured under 

 was, the being obliged to make the fire at fome diftance 

 from us. For, although the ground was, to all appear- 

 ance, dry enough before, yet when the fire was lighted, it 

 foon thawed all the parts round it into an abfolute puddle. 

 We admired much the alertnefs and expedition with which 

 the Kamtfchadalcs erected our marquee, and cooked our pro- 

 vifions ; but what was mod unexpected, we found they had 

 brought with them their tea-kettles, confidering it as the 

 greateft of hardfliips not to drink tea two or three times a 

 day. 



We fet out as foon as it was light, in the morning, and Saturdays. 

 had not advanced far, before we were met by the Toion, or 

 Chief of Karatchin, who had been apprized of our coming, 

 and had provided canoes that were lighter, and better con- 

 trived for navigating the higher parts of the river. A com- 

 modious vefTel, confiding of two canoes, lathed clofe to- 

 gether with crofs ("pars, lined with bear-fkins, and fur- 

 nifhed with fur cloaks, was alfo provided for us. We now 



went 



! 9D 



