THIRD VOYAGE 419 



finding that he had almost entirely forgotten the French 

 language, so that the satisfaction of conversing with him 

 was wholly confined to Mr. Webber, who spoke the German, 

 his native tongue. 



" In company with Major Behm was Captain Shmaleff, 

 the second in command, and another officer, with the whole 

 body of the merchants of the place. They conducted us to 

 the commander's house, where we were received by his lady 

 with great civility, and found tea and other refreshments 

 prepared for us. 



"About seven o'clock the commander, conceiving we 

 might be fatigued with our journey, and desirous of taking 

 some repose, begged he might conduct us to our lodgings. 

 In our way we passed by two guard-houses, where the men 

 were turned out under arms in compliment to Captain Gore ; 

 and were afterward brought to a very neat and decent 

 house, which the major gave us to understand was to be our 

 residence during our stay. Two sentinels w r ere posted at 

 the door, and in a house adjoining there was a sergeant's 

 guard. Here the major took his leave, with a promise to 

 see us next day. 



" Early ia the morning we received the compliments of 

 the commander, of Captain Shmalefl, and of the principal 

 inhabitants of the town, who all honoured us with visits soon 

 after. The two first having sent for Port, after we Were 

 gone to rest, and inquired of him what articles we seemed to 

 be most in want of on board the ships, we found them pre- 

 pared to insist on our sharing with the garrison under their 

 command, in what little stock of provisions they had 

 remaining. 



" We agreed to accept the liberality of these hospitable 

 strangers with the best grace we could, but on condition 

 that we might be made acquainted with the price of the 

 articles we were to be supplied with, and that Captain Clerke 

 should give bills to the amount upon the Victualling Office 

 in London. This the major positively refused ; and when- 

 ever it was afterwards urged, stopped us short by telling us 

 he was certain that he could not oblige his mistress more 

 than in giving every assistance in his power to her good 

 friends and allies the English. 



" In return for such singular generosity we had little to 

 bestow but our admiration and our thanks. Fortunately, 

 however, Captain Clerke had sent by me a set of prints and 

 maps belonging to the last voyage of Captain Cook, which he 

 desired me to present in his name to the commander, who, 

 being an enthusiast in everything relating to discoveries, 

 received it with a satisfaction which shewed that, though a 

 trifle, nothing could have been more acceptable. Captain 



