CRUELTY OF THE SAVAGES. 41 



besieged were amply supplied. This wooden 

 fortress, enclosing about three hundred fighting 

 men with their families, held out several days ; 

 but no sooner had the heavy guns of the Rus- 

 sians effected a breach, than the besieged, find- 

 ing their position no longer tenable, surrendered 

 at discretion, and delivered over the sons of 

 their chiefs as hostages for their submission. 



Though peace was now established, and they 

 were allowed to retire unmolested, yet, mistrust- 

 ing the Russians, they stole away secretly in a 

 dark night, having first murdered all who, 

 whether from age or infancy, might be burden- 

 some to them in their flight. Morning disco- 

 vered the cruelty perpetrated by these barba- 

 rians, who, in their fears, judged the Russians 

 by themselves. From this time Baronof re- 

 mained nominally in possession of the island, 

 and actually of a hill upon it forming a natural 

 fortification, and formerly inhabited by a chief 

 of the Kalushes called Katelan. 



The savages thirsted for revenge ; and, not- 

 withstanding the treaties concluded with them, 

 unceasingly sought to gratify it by secret arts 

 and ambushes ; so that the Russians, unless well 



