THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 
221 
our way to the boats, and take our leave of her. Impreffed, 
as our minds were, with fentiments of the warmeft grati¬ 
tude, by the attentive, benevolent, and generous treatment 
we had met with at Bolcheretlk, they were greatly height¬ 
ened by the affedfing fcene which prefented itfelf to us, on 
leaving our lodgings. All the foldiers and Coffacks, be¬ 
longing to the garrifon, were drawn up on one hand, and 
the male inhabitants of the town, dreffed out in their belt 
clothes, on the other; and, as foon as we came out of the 
houfe, the whole body of the people joined in a melancholy 
fong, which, the Major told us, it was ufual, in that coun¬ 
try, to ling on taking leave of their friends. In this man¬ 
ner we marched down to the Commander’s houfe, preceded 
by the drums and mulic of the garrifon, where we were 
received by Madame Behm, attended by the ladies, who 
were dreffed in long lilk cloaks, lined with very valuable 
furs of different colours, which made a moll magnificent 
appearance. After partaking of fome refrelhment, that was 
prepared for us, we went down to the water-lide, accom¬ 
panied by the ladies, who now joined the fong with the 
reft of the inhabitants ; and as foon as we had taken leave 
of Madame Behm, and alfured her of the grateful fenfe we 
fhould ever retain of the hofpitality of Bolcheretlk, we 
found ourfelves too much affecfted, not to haften into the 
boats with all the expedition we could. When we put off, 
the whole company gave us three cheers, which we return¬ 
ed from the boat; and, as we were doubling a point, where 
for the laft time we faw our friendly entertainers, they 
took their farewel in another cheer. 
We found the ftream, on our return, fo exceedingly ra¬ 
pid, that, notwithftanding the Coffacks and Kamtfchadales 
ufed their utmoft exertions, we did not reach the ftrft vil¬ 
lage. 
