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3

We frequently travelled a good part of the night as I was anxious to cross the Sigil mountains before a heavier fall of snow, and the temperature was lowering so rapidly that the morning of our arrival to Klutchi September 5' the thermometer was showing six degrees below freezing point.

In Klutchi arose the question whether it would be preferable for us to follow the eastern coast as far as the village Kitchiga 60 N. Lat and to cross from this place over the plains to Kamenisi head of Periguish Gulf. It would have been preferable altogether had the season been less advanced, because we avoided the Sigil mountains, but there were no means for transportation. Klutchi was the last village where horses could be had, and these were in bad condition. We could not use the same animals on such a considerable distance and risked to lose them all should cold and snow find us on the plains north of Kantchatka. In consequence we had to leave for Sigil without delay. River Elovka is one of the tributaries of the Kantchatka, a rapid stream flowing from north to south. In wood of good quality is to be found beyond Elvoka village. 100 versts north of Klutchi it is sometimes brought down in rafts to Nijni-Kantchatka and conveyed to Petropavlowsky on board of the little Schooner "Poorga" you must have seen in port.

The distance from Elvoka to Sigil is