22: 



A VOYAGE TO 



1779- We found the ftream, on our return, fo exceedingly rapid 



^_ ' y — / that notwithstanding the CofTacks and Kamtfchadales ufed 

 their utmoft exertions, we did not reach the firft village, 



Monday 17. Opatchin, till the evening of the 17th, which was at the rate 

 of about twenty miles a day. We got to Natcheekin on the 



wednef. 19. 19th; and, on the 20th, we croffed the plain to Karatchin. 

 We found the road much better than when we had paflcd it 

 before, there having been a fmart froft on the night of 



Friday 21. the 19th. On the 21ft, we proceeded down the Awatfka 

 River; and, before it was dark, got over the fhoals which 

 lie at the entrance of the bay. During the whole courfe of 

 our journey, we were much pleafed with the great good- 

 will with which the Toions^ and their Kamtfchadales, afforded 

 us their afliftance, at the different ojlrogs through which we 

 patTed ; and I could not but obferve the pleafure that appear- 

 ed in their countenances, on feeing the Major, and their 

 ftrong expreffions of forrow, on hearing he was fo foon go- 

 ing to leave them. 



We had difpatched a meffenger to Captain Clcrke, from 

 Bolcheretfk, with an account of our reception, and of the 

 Major's intention of returning with us ; at the fame time, 

 apprizing him of the day he might probably expect to fee 

 us. We were therefore very well pleafed to obferve, as we 

 approached the harbour, all the boats of the two fhips com- 

 ing toward us, the men clean, and the officers as well 

 drefled as the fcarcity of our clothing would permit. The 

 Major was much ftruck at the robufl. and healthy ap- 

 pearance of the boats crews, and ftill more at feeing 

 mod of them without any other covering than a fhirt 

 and trowfers, although at the very moment it actually 

 /uowed. 



As 



