THE PAG IF I G OCEAN. 3^5 



with fuch fecrecy, that the Ruffians had not the fmalleft '779- 

 fufpicion that any thing hoflile to their interefts was in 

 agitation. Their other meafures were equally well taken. 

 They had a flrong body in readinefs to cutofFall communi- 

 cation with the fort Anadirlk; and the Eaflern coaft was 

 likewife lined with detached parties, with a view or' feizing. 

 on any Ruffians that might by accident arrive from Okotfk. 

 Things were in this Mate, when the commiflary Cheek- 

 haerdin marched from Verchnei with his tribute, efcorted 

 by the troops of the fort, for the mouth of the Kamt- 

 fchatka River, where a vefTel was lying to convey them to 

 the Anadir. Befidcs waiting for the departure of Eeering, 

 the revolt was to befufpended till this veflel fhould be ouc 

 at fea, notice of which was to be given to the different 

 Chiefs. Accordingly, the moment me was out of fight/ 

 they began to mafTacre every Ruffian and CofTack that came 

 in their way, and to fet fire to their houfes. A large body- 

 afcended the River Kamtfchatka, made themfelvcs mailers 

 of the fort and ojlrog the commiffary had jult quitted, put to. 

 death all that were in it, and, except the church and the 

 fort, reduced the whole to allies. Here it was that they firft 

 learned that the Ruffian veflel, in which the commiilary had 

 embarked, was ftill on the coaft, which determined them 

 to defend themfelvcs in the fort. The wind fortunately 

 foon brought the veflel back to the harbour; for had fhe 

 proceeded in her voyage, nothing probably could have pre- 

 vented the utter extirpation of the Ruffians. The Coflacks 

 finding, on their landing, that their houfes had been burnt 

 to the ground, and their wives and children either maflacrcd 

 or carried off prifoners, were enraged to madnefs. They 

 marched directly to the fort, which they attacked with 

 great fury, and the natives as refolutely defended, till at 



t length 



