36

THE RUSSIAN FLEET

post himself so as to prevent the launching of theRuss galleys on the other side of the isthmus.They also dispatched about 7 men-of-war to findout a passage in amongst the rocks and islands onthe farthermost side of the Russ galleys, that, byinclosing them within the two squadrons, theymight, if possible, destroy them. The Russobserved all their designs, and the long looked forcalm at length fortunately offering, the galleys beganto move under the command of CommodoreIsmaiwitz. Captain Bredale led the way, and the restfollowed; some close by the shore, and othersbetwixt the Swedes men-of-war, whilst they in vainendeavoured to hinder their passing by random shot,doing little execution on account of the smallness oftheir 1 bulk and swiftness of their motion. Only onegalley striking on a rock was taken. After theyhad escaped the ships, the Tsar sent his favourite,the Adjutant-General Paul Jagosinski, with a whiteflag to summon Rear-Admiral Ehrenskiold with theprahrn and galleys under his command to surrender ;signifying the impossibility of escaping, and reason-ableness of preventing the effusion of Christianblood : promising civil usage to himself and peopleif, accepting this offer, he would forthwith strike hisflag and submit to the Tsar; but in case of refusalhe would assuredly meet with a furious attack andbe taken by force, and then whoever survived theaction must expect no better treatment than commonprisoners-of-war. The Rear-Admiral replied, ‘ Ihave spent my life in the service of my King andcountry with inviolable fidelity, and as I have livedso I resolve to die in maintaining these interests.The Tsar has nothing to expect from me, or anyunder my command, but a vigorous defence ; and if

1 I.e. the boats’.