512 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1818. 



than Makaroff again fell down in 

 a state of insensibility. Had 

 either the stone or the branch 

 of the tree given way, we roust 

 both have been precipitated to 

 the bottom, and have peri.-hed. 



In the meanwhile, Mr. Chleb- 

 nikofthad climbed to the middle 

 of the rot k, when such obstacles 

 presented themselves, that he 

 could neither move backwards 

 nor forwards. The sailors imme- 

 diately tied together the sashes 

 they wore as girdles, and having 

 lowered one end until he was 

 enabled to take hold of it, drew 

 him from his perilous situation. 



We rested for a short time on 

 the top of this rock, and then 

 proceeded to ascend the next 

 hill, on the summit of which we 

 perceived, in the distance, an 

 earthen hut, or something re- 

 sembling one, which we supposed 

 would afford a convenient shelter 

 for the night. Before sunset we 

 reached the summit of this hill, 

 one of the highest in Matsmai ; 

 it was overgrown with reeds, 

 between which the snow lay very 

 deep, and only a few scattered 

 trees were to be seen.' Contrary 

 to our expectations, we found no 

 earthen hut ; but we were con- 

 vinced we were now secure, as 

 the Japanese would not look for 

 us in that terrific spot. We im- 

 mediately kindled a fire, and 

 prepared a supper, cons.isting of 

 wild garlic and sorrel, which we 

 had gathered on the banks of the 

 river through which we bad that 

 day (April 25th) waded. We 

 likewise dried our clothes, which 

 were completely soaked, as the 

 water had in many places been 

 more than knee deep. Towards 



night we collected some reeds 

 and built a hut. 



Having eaten heartily of boiled 

 herbs and a portion of our store 

 of provisions, we laid ourselves * 

 down to rest, as night had already 

 set in. In consequence of the 

 extreme fatigue we had under- 

 gone, we quickly fell asleep. My 

 repose was not, however, of long 

 duration ; being oppressed by the 

 excessive heat of our hut, I 

 awoke and walked out into the 

 open air. I leant myself against 

 a tree near the hut, and the 

 majestic image of nature which 

 I then beheld excited all my 

 admiration. The sky was clear, 

 and numerous black clouds were 

 floating around the nearest hills. 

 It probably rained in the plains. 

 The snow glistened on the tops 

 of the mountains in the distance; 

 I never saw the stars shine with 

 such brilliancy as on that night; 

 a deadly stillness prevailed around 

 me. 



But this sublime spectacle 

 vanished, when I suddenly re- 

 collected our situation, which 

 new presented itself to my mind 

 in all its horrors. Six men on 

 the summit of one of the highest 

 mountains in Matsmai, without 

 cloathing, provisions, or even 

 arms, by the help of which we 

 might have obtained something 

 to save us from starvation, and 

 surrounded by. enemies and wild 

 beasts, wandering over a strange 

 island, uncertain whether or not 

 we should succeed in gaining 

 posseesion of a vessel ; and I in 

 a state of lameness which occa- 

 sioned the severest agony at every 

 step. To reflect on so helpless a 

 condition, was indeed to be verg- 



