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TO THE NORTH OF EUROPE, 87
but that then it would be pofible to proceed to Tartary on the ice, by the fea which they
named the fea of Marmora.
On the twenty-fifth of Auguft the Dutch returned to the bark, where they were re-
ceived by the Ruffians with marks of friendfhip, which they did not fail to return. The
Kuffians who had a great many fat geefe, made them a prefent of eight; and the Dutch
having entreated that fome of their company would go to their fhip, feven followed
them. ;
When they were arrived, they teftified their furprife and admiration at the fight of
fo large a veffel, and confidering the manner and order with which it was equipped,
they examined it with curiofity on all fides: they were afterwards prefented with meat,
butter, and cheefe, which they would not tafte becaufe it was a faft day with them ; but
they ate voracioufly of pickled herring, fwallowing it whole with the head and tail.
They alfo made them a prefent of a trough full, for which they fhewed much gratitude;
they then carried them back with the yacht to Trane Bay.
On the thirty-firft of Auguft Barentfz failed along the northern coaft of Weigats,
where they found fome of thofe men called Samoiedes, and which are regarded as fa-
vages, though they are not abfolutely fo; for the Dutch having penetrated a league
into the country, and having met with twenty of them, had fome communication. It is
true there was fo great a mift that they did not perceive the Dutch; and when the latter
difcovered them they were already very near, and beheld them in two companies.
The interpreter being detached, and having advanced in order to fpeak to them, one
of the Samoiedes alfo advanced, and approaching he drew an arrow from his quiver,
threatening to kill the interpreter. The latter having no arms was much alarmed, and
cried out in the Ruffian language, Do not /hoot, we are friends. ‘The Samoiede imme-
diately laid down his bow and arrow, and fignified that he was willing to difcourfe. The
interpreter having faid a fecond time, We are friends: Weill, faid he, then you are wel-
come; and afterwards they faluted each other, by inclining the head to the ground, after
the Ruffian manner.
The interpreter having afked fome queftions concerning the, {tate and fituation of the
country and fea which they obferved on the eaft, after failing through the ftraits of the
Weigats; he anfwered, that when they fhould have paffed a point which was at the dif-
tance of about five days journey, and which he indicated to lie to the N. E., they would
meet with a greatiea tothe S. E.; adding that he was particularly acquainted with that,
one of his companions having been fent there from their king with troops under his
command.
The Samoiedes are clothed in the manner in which favages are reprefented; and in
this particular they may be called favages: but on no other account do they merit the
appellation, for they exhibit a confiderable portion of good fenfe in their behaviour.
Their clothing confifts of {kins of rein-deer, covering them from head to foot, the
chiefs excepted, who cover the head with fome coloured pieces lined with fur; the
others have caps of rein-deer fkin, the hair being on the outfide, fitting very clofe about
the head. ‘They wear the hair long, tied in a fingle trefs, and hanging down their back
over their garments.
They are of fmall ftature, with broad and flat faces, fmall eyes, fhort legs, with the
knees bending out; they run fwiftly, and leap very well: they place little confidence
in other nations, of which the following are proofs.
Though the Dutch had teftified much confidence and friendfhip in this firft interview,
yet having returned, on the firft of September, a fecond time to land, and requefted to
examine one of their bows, they refufed and appeared difpleafed,
The
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