14 
SARYTSCHEW*S TRAVELS. 
The credit which the shamans enjoy with all these people* 
prevents them from being suspected of any deception ; and the 
conceit of their holding an intercourse with evil spirits, confirms 
every one still more in the opinion, that whatever happens through 
the shaman is effected in a supernatural way by the aid of de¬ 
vils. This prejudice of course affords them an opportunity of 
imposing several tales and absurdities upon the superstitious ig¬ 
norance of the multitude ; such as pretending to have the power 
t>f knowing the past, present, and future; of commanding the 
winds and storms ; of producing fine or bad weather ; of find¬ 
ing things that are lost; of healing the sick, affording good 
^port to the hunter, &c. and all which they never neglect to 
turn to their own advantage. 
"chap! II. 
Departure for t hqtsk on reindeers.—the tun- 
GUSES.-THEIR JURTS AND MANNER OF LIVING.-AR¬ 
RIVAL AT OCHOTSK.-REMARKS ON THE TOWN, ITS 
TRADE AND INHABITANTS.-THE FISHERY, AND DIF¬ 
FERENT SORTS OF FISH.—FOWLING.—BIRDS OF DIF¬ 
FERENT KINDS. 
THE messenger returned in twelve days, bringing with him 
twenty-five reindeer, a jurt, and two Tungusish families, with 
which I pursued my journey from Omekon on the 11th of 
March. 
Some of the reindeer were employed for carrying our provi¬ 
sions and clothing, and others were saddled for our use. It was 
some time before I could accustom myself to this mode of rid¬ 
ing, without real inconvenience, the saddle having neither girths 
nor stirrups, and its smallness scarcely allow ing me a firm seat. 
It rested on the shoulders of the reindeer, and was only tied by 
a single slight thong, so that with the smallest loss of balance I 
must inevitably have fallen. Another little thong slung round 
the neck of the creature served as a bridle. 
The first day we went 30 versts. In the commencement th® 
road lead us over meadows, and afterwards through a woody 
vale surrounded with mountains. We took up our abode for the 
night on a mountain, abounding in moss, the favourite diet of 
the reindeer, where the jurt was erected. The Tunguse men 
having cut the poles for the jurt, and lighted the fire, the re¬ 
mainder was done by the women, who unloaded the reindeer* 
unpacked the baggage, and fixed up the jurt. These people 
carry about w ith them all the materials for such a shelter ; such 
the rowdugen, the pieces of bark sowed together for a co- 
