[68] They use for this purpose a long and wide blade fastened at the end of a stick three feet long. This instrument serves them both as lance and axe.
[69] I have already mentioned the quickness of the vegetation. Its progress was every day perceptible; the trees, which had been so long bare, gradually recovered their dress, and the country soon appeared like a vast meadow enamelled with rural flowers. What a spectacle for a man whose eye had for the space of six months seen nothing but frozen rivers, and mountains and plains covered with snow! It seemed to revive with nature, and to spring out of its ruins.
[70] There is actually a cross erected on the bank of the river.
[71] The abatement of the water was every day perceptible to the eye, and a longer delay would have exposed me to all the dangers of shoals, and the most formidable cataracts.
[72] These boats are flat, and terminate in points at the two extremities.
[73] It is called listvenischnoie-derevo.
[74] It pours itself into the Lena, at a little distance from, and north of, Yakoutsk.
[75] This place is called Oust-mayapristann or harbour of the mouth of the Maya.
[76] During my five days navigation I had travelled near seven hundred wersts.
[77] Independently of various other cattle, he had a stud of two thousand horses in very good condition, though he had lost a considerable number by the conveyances occasioned by M. Billings’ expedition. From the manner in which he spoke of his submission to the will of the empress, I judged that he felt no reluctance at any sacrifices that proved his zeal.