154 KAMSCHATKA. [chap. 



the hamlet of Kojerevsky, which, according to them, was over two 

 hundred versts distant, for the sum of seventy-five roubles. 



The Tschappina men now returned to the charge, but we cut 

 short all discussion by telling them that if they did not accept 

 our terms, and prepare to come on with us without delay, we 

 should not pay them a single kopeck for the distance they had 

 already brought us. Our ultimatum was, however, of no effect, for 

 they felt quite secure of us, having no idea of the plan we had 

 resolved on ; and accordingly they retired to their tent to sleep 

 away the rest of the morning, until we had made up our minds 

 to yield. 



We had, nevertheless, one trump card left. It was after all 

 but a poor one, but we determined to see what could be done with 

 it. We had four canoes at our disposal, two belonging to our 

 Tolbatchik men and two to ourselves. Of the first, one appeared 

 to be in good condition, the other was patched and leaked in all 

 directions, and our own craft were in still worse condition. The 

 split one was expected to founder at any moment, and the other 

 was so old and rotten that we could in many places push our 

 fingers through it. Our plan was to lash all four together, and on 

 the raft thus constructed to pack our party of eleven men and all 

 our ba2f2rao;e. We worked with a will, and in a couple of hours 

 the affair was finished. In point of security it was, perhaps, not 

 all that could be desired, and contact with a snag would no doubt 

 have placed us in no very pleasant predicament, but we were thankful 

 to find that it held together and was capable of supporting us. 

 We had won the game after all. 



We pushed out into mid-stream and shouted a sarcastic good- 

 bye to our enemies. It must have been a bitter moment for them 

 as they emerged from their tent and saw their legally-earned, as 

 well as their prospective, roubles rapidly disappearing from their 

 view, and we forgave them the harmless curses they bestowed upon 

 us. They were wise enough not to resort to stronger measures, 

 although all were armed, and in another minute or two we 



