BEEING'S great KORTHERl^ EXPEDITION. 101 



expeditions, enduring continual vexations from tlie 

 Siberian government — especially on account of Pissar- 

 jeff — and conducting frequent examinations and investi- 

 gations into the quarrels and complaints of his subor- 

 dinates. During all this time he was sternly and 

 unreasonably treated by the Admiralty, which show- 

 ered upon him threats and reproaches for slowness 

 sluggishness, and disorder, for false reports and ill- 

 timed accounts. ^^ Even as late as 1740 the Senate 

 made a proposition to discontinue the expedition, and 

 only by calling attention to the enormous expenditures 

 already made, which would in that case be completely 

 wasted, was the Admiralty allowed to continue it. 

 Bering was especially disheartened on account of Pis- 

 sarjeff. The latter arrived at Okhotsk at the same 

 time that Bering did, took up his abode in the old Ostrog 

 (fort) and immediately began his malicious annoy- 

 ances. His complaints and protests poured into head- 

 quarters at Okhotsk. '^For a correspondence with ^^ ^ 

 him alone," writes Bering, '^ might use, three good ^^^,^^^. 

 secretaries. I find his foul-tongued criticism extremely 

 offensive." He would capture Bering^s men to give 

 them a drubbing, while his own deserted him to join 

 Bering, by whom they were kindly received. The 

 new town and the Ostrog were two hostile camps. 

 Finally Bering was compelled to make a sally to liber- 

 ate his men. The intrepid Spangberg, entirely out of 

 patience with Bering's leniency, said: ^^Why do you 

 give yourself so much trouble about this old knave? 

 Give me four men and the authority and I shall im- 

 mediately put him under arrest." 



