8 VOYAGE FROM OKHOTZK. 



attention" to my aflurances; but began to moot at us 

 from their bows. I was therefore compelled to retire, 

 not without uneafinefs at the uncertain termination of 

 this tranfacliqn. Yet, confidering their perverfe and 

 obftinate behaviour towards us, and their firm refolu- 

 tion either to remove us from their coafts or deftroy us 

 all, I proceeded to take every poffible precaution againft 

 an unexpected attack. The 12th of Auguft, exactly 

 at midnight, juft as my people had left the watch, the 

 favages came down from their rocks in great numbers, 

 and fell upon us with fuch fury, that I verily believe 

 they would have effected their purpofe without diffi- 

 culty r had we been lefs vigilant, or more timid. The 

 profpedl of death infpired us with courage ; we defend- 

 ed ourfelves with our fire-arms; and, though not till 

 after an obftinate engagement, put them to flight. At 

 fun-rife we faw none of them near us, nor any of their 

 flain; for thefe they had taken with them. On the 

 other hand we were fo fortunate that not one of us was 

 either killed or wounded ; which I afcribe folely to the 

 providence of God. Shortly afterwards we learnt from 

 a deferter that had been in captivity among the favages, 

 a native of Tatagu, otherwife called in the ruffian lan- 

 guage, Fox-aleutes, that the favages waited all the 

 next day on their rocks expecting a considerable rein- 

 forcement from the habitations of Ilud, Ugaataka, 

 Tchinnlgaka, Ugafhika, and feveral other places, in 

 the refolution of making a vigorous attack, with com- 

 bined force on all lides, both on us, and in the harbour 

 on our veffels, fo as not to leave a man of us alive. 

 Thus, not difmayed by the ill-fuccefs of their former 

 attack, they only refolved to ftrengthen themfelves the 



more; 



