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9

with rain and snow and the appearance of the weather was quite discouraging. 

Meanwhile Kennan had travelled with great difficulty, came next day to the point assigned, but seeing the appearance of the weather, and the gloomy aspect of the sea, returned to Lessnoi. His report about the road was most unfavorable: whilst crossing the first range of mountains he was caught in a snowstorm, and the horses though carrying no load could hardly advance. 

It was impossible to cross the mountains with packhorses, wind and continual snow rendered a sea voyage still more impracticable, our men were exhausted, and all declared ^[[that]] they could go no farther. We have done all that was possible; nothing I believe has been neglected, but we had to submit to the infuriated elements and a halt in Lessnoi became indispensable, until the establishment of a fair winter road. In this small village, partly from disappointment and also from overexertion and exposure to terrible weather, I was taken ill.

Three days after we had resolved to stay at Lessnoi, cold weather came on suddenly, the thermometer indicating 44 (degree mark) below freezing; the smaller streams were frozen, but there was no