LAGEDIAK’S MEASUREMENTS. 313 
Tamon Russia, ellip, ellip! words which my 
readers will now be prepared to understand. 
Lagediak soon commenced an admeasurement 
of the ship in all directions, with a string he 
had brought for this purpose: having obtained 
the dimensions of the ship’s body, he next 
climbed the masts, to measure the yards and 
sails. My friends also expressed much sur- 
prise at the great number of men on board, and 
tried to count them. At the number ten, they 
always made a knot on a piece of string, and 
then began again. In comparison with the 
compliment of the Rurik, (only twenty men,) 
my present crew must have appeared extremely 
numerous. 
A crowd of the islanders soon came on board, 
without the least hesitation or fear. Though 
very merry, and quite at home, they were all 
well-behaved and modest. Incessant laugh- 
ter pealed from below, where these lovers of 
mirth had mingled with our sailors, in all sorts 
of tricks and jests; the different parties danced 
and sang alternately, each laughing heartily at 
the performances of the other. They exchanged 
embraces and presents; of the guests especially 
28 5 Oa P 
