i6 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
There, he was foon noticed as an extraordmary man 
Without ftockings, or flioes, and in too much poverty to pro- 
vide himfelf with either, he received and accepted an invita- 
tion to dine with the Portug-ueze Ambaffador. To this invi- 
o 
tation it was probably owing that he v/as able to obtain the fum 
of twenty guineas for a bill on Sir Jofeph Banks, which he 
confelTed he had no authority to draw, but which, in coniidera- 
tion of the bufmefs that he had undertaken, and of the progrefs 
that he had made, Sir Jofeph, he believed, would not be unwil- 
ling to pay. To the Ambaffador's interefc it might alfo be owing 
that he obtained permiffion to accompany a detachment of 
Stores which the Emprefs had ordered to be fent to Yakutz, for 
the ufe of Mr. Billings, an Englifliman, at that time in her fer^ 
vicep 
Thus accommodated, he travelled Eaflward through Siberia, 
fix thoufand miles, to Yakutz, where he was kindly received by 
Mr. BilUngs, whom he remembered on board Captain Cook's 
fliip, in the fituation of the Aftronomer's Servant, but to whom the 
Emprefs had now entrufted her fchemes of Northern difcovery. 
From Yakutz he proceeded to Oczakow, on the coaft of the 
Kanifthatka fea^ from whence he meant to have palTed over to 
that 
