Page:Narrative of the extraordinary adventures of four Russian sailors (2).pdf/5

 expedition. They had almost two miles to travel over loose bridges of ice, which being raised by the waves, and driven against each other by the wind, rendered the way equally difficult and dangerous : Prudence therefore forbade their loading themselves too much, lest being overburthened, they might sink in between the pieces of ice and perish.

Having thus maturely considered the nature of their undertaking, they provided themselves with a musket, a powder horn, containing 12 charges of powder, with as many balls, an axe, a small kettle, a bag with about 20 pounds of flour, a knife, a tinderbox and tinder, a bladder filled with tobacco, and every man his wooden pipe. Thus accoutred, these four sailors quickly arrived on the island, little suspecting the misfortunes that would befal them. They began with exploring the country ; and soon discovered the hut they were in search of, about an English mile and half from the shore. It was 36 feet in length, 18 feet in heighth, and as many in breadth. It contained a small