THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 
acquainted with the fituation of the drifting fand-banks, 
and unfortunately the fnow not having yet begun to melt, 
the fhallownefs of the river was at its extreme. 
The fatigue our men had already undergone, and the 
difficulty of navigating the river, which would have been 
much increafed by the darknefs of the night, obliged us to 
give up all thoughts of continuing our journey that even¬ 
ing. Having therefore found a place tolerably fheltered, and 
cleared it of the. fnow, we erected a fmall marquife , which 
we had brought with us ; and, by the alliftance of a brifk 
lire, and fome good punch, palled the night not very un- 
pleafantly. The only inconvenience we laboured under was, 
the being obliged to make the fire at fome diftance from us. 
For, although the ground was, to all appearance, dry enough 
before, yet when the fire was lighted, it foon thawed all the 
parts round it into an abfolute puddle. We admired much 
the alertnefs and expedition with which the Kamtfchadales 
eredled our marquife , and cooked our provifions ; but what 
was moll unexpected, we found they had brought with them 
their tea-kettles, confidering it as the greatest of hardfhips 
not to drink tea two or three times a day. 
We fet out as foon as it was light, in the morning, and 
had not advanced far, before we were met by the Toion , or 
Chief of Karatchin, who had been apprized of our com¬ 
ing, and had provided canoes that were lighter, and better 
contrived for navigating the higher parts of the river. A 
commodious veffel, confiding of two canoes, laflied clofe 
together with crofs fpars, lined with bear-fkins, and fur- 
nilhed with fur cloaks, was alfo provided for us. We now 
went on very rapidly, the Town's people being both flout 
and frefli, and remarkable for their expertnefs in this bu- 
3 finefs. 
*99 
1779 - 
May. 
'--- 9 
Saturday $. 
