THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 
293 
pany of his own officers. It was in vain to think of mak- 1779. 
ing any attempt to obtain an indulgence, which, though it 
would have been highly agreeable to us, was doubtlefs in¬ 
compatible with their difcipline. 
On Wednefday we had finifhed the ftowage of the holds ; Wednef. 15, 
got on board all our wood and water; and were ready to put 
to fea at a day’s notice. It is however neceffary to obferve, 
that though every thing was in this degree of readinefs on 
board, the cattle were not yet arrived from Verchnei; and 
as frefh provifions were the moft important article of our 
wants, and in a great meafure neceffary for the health of 
the men, we could not think of taking our departure with¬ 
out them. We therefore thought this a favourable oppor¬ 
tunity (efpecially as there was an appearance of fine wea¬ 
ther) of taking fome amufement on fhore, and acquiring a 
little knowledge of the country. Accordingly, Captain Gore 
propofed a party of bear-hunting, which we all very readily 
came into. 
We did not fet out on this expedition till Friday the 17th, Friday 17, 
in order to give a day’s reft to the Hofpodin Ivafkin, a new 
acquaintance, that was to be of our party, and who came 
down here on Wednefday. This gentleman, who, we un- 
derftood, ufually refides at Verchnei, had been defired by 
Major Behm to attend us on our return to the harbour, in 
order to be our interpreter ; and the accounts we had heard 
of him, before his arrival, had excited in us a great cu- 
riofity to fee him. 
He is of a confiderable family in Ruffia. His father Was 
a General in the Emprefs’s fervice; and he himfelf, after 
having received his education partly in France, and partly 
in Germany, had been page to the Emprefs Elizabeth, and 
an Enfign in her guards. At the age of fixteen he was 
knowted , 
