PREPARATIONS. 



January 22. 1815. This afternoon I bid adieu 

 to Reva], my native town ; and, accompanied by 

 my crew, consisting of a young and able officer of 

 the name of KordiukofF, and twenty sailors, set out 

 on my march to Abo. The government had given 

 me permission to pick out the best men, and more 

 volunteers had offered than I wanted, who, with 

 real ardour, were willing to venture every thing 

 with me. Such heroes were, of course, very wel« 

 come to me, and inspired me with cheerful hopes 

 for the success of my intended enterprize. We 

 marched away with our baggage, and my heart was 

 light when I was out of the town, for the first step 

 to the honourable undertaking was made. A ge- 

 neral joy prevailed among the sailors, who sung 

 and played till they reached their quarters for the 

 night. 



January 31. About four in the afternoon we 

 reached St. Petersburg, where I gave the men some 

 days rest. We were here joined by Lieutenant 

 Schischmareff ; I had myself chosen him for this 

 expedition, because I had been on terms of inti- 

 mate friendship with him for many years, and 

 knew him to be a very able officer. I waited on 



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