96 KAMSGHATKA. [chap. 



for the skins varies very much if these be sold separately. But 

 generally the season's catch is disposed of en masse, and a fixed 

 price paid per head, whether good, bad, or indifferent. By far the 

 greater part of the trade lies in the hands of the individual I have 

 alluded to under his title of the King of Kamschatka. That he 

 was by no means beloved of his subjects was abundantly evident, 

 but his power was so great that but few were able, even if they 

 dared, to shake off the hold he had upon them. As the owner of 

 what was, practically, the only store in Petropaulovsky, the natives 

 became easily indebted to him, their account for goods supplied 

 being invariably in excess of the amount allowed for the furs 

 brought for disposal. They are thus, we were informed, obliged to 

 bring the catch of the following season to the same market, where, 

 owing to the absence of competition, the prices are by no means 

 high. If the corresponding profit upon the flour, cloth, and other 

 goods sold be taken into consideration, it will be seen that, with a 

 little capital and an elastic conscience, a fur-trader in Kamschatka 

 ought not to do badly. 



In St. Petersburg the price of a single sable-skin ranges from 

 £2 to £25. In Kamschatka the wretched peasant, living upon 

 half-rotten fish and exposed to the rigours of a climate which, in 

 its severity, surpasses that of almost every inhabited region of the 

 world, receives, nominally, an average of sixteen roubles^ per 

 skin. In reality, as I have stated, he has to take out this value in 

 goods. He is wise if he does so, and can keep clear of the brandy, 

 which, in spite of the law which forbids its sale anywhere but 

 in Petropaulovsky, has proved the ruin of so many of his country- 

 men. 



The price of other skins is generally settled individually. A 

 fairly good bear's skin fetches about three or four roubles. It is 

 only the very finest and largest that will bring as much as seven 

 roubles. A river otter, if in good condition, is valued at the latter 



^ The Russian paper rouble is worth nearly half-a-crown ; the silver rouble about 

 three shillings and sixpence. 



