A Brief History of Moscovia and Other Countries, Chapter 2
CHAP. II.
Of Samoedia, Siberia, and other Countries north-east subject to the Muscovites.
NOrth-east of Russia lieth Samoedia by the River Ob. This Country was first discover'd by Oneke a Russian; who first trading privately among them in rich Furrs got great Wealth, and the knowledge of their Country; then reveal'd his discovery to Boris Protectour to Pheodor, shewing how beneficial that Country gain'd, would be to the Empire. Who sending Ambassadours among them gallantly attir'd, by fair means won their subjection to the Empire; every Head paying yearly two Skins of richest Sables. Those Messengers travailing also 200 leagues beyond Ob east-ward, made report of pleasant Countries, abounding with Woods and Fountains, and People riding on Elks and Loshes, others drawn on Sleds by Rain-deer, others by Dogs as swift as Deer. The Somoeds that came along with those Messengers returning to Mosco admir'd the stateliness of that City, and were as much admir'd for excellent Shooters, hitting every time the breadth of a penny, as far distant as hardly could be discern'd.
The River Ob is reported by the Russes to be in breadth the sayling of a Summer's day:Purch. part. 3. but full of Islands and Shoals,543, 540. Molgomsay. having neither Woods, nor, till of late, Inhabitants. Out of Ob they turn into the River Tawze. The Russians have here, since the Samoeds yielded them subjection, two Governours with 3 or 400 Gunners; have built Villages and some small Castles; all which Place they call Mongozey, or Molgomzay, Further up-land they have also built other Cities of Wood,524. consisting chiefly of Poles, Tartars and Russes, fugitive or condemned men; as Vergateria, Siber, whence the whole Country is nam'd,526. Tinna, thence Tobolsca on this side Ob, on the Rivers Irtis, and Tobol, chief Seat of the Russian Governour; above that, Zergolta in an Island of Ob, where they have a Custom house, beyond that on the other side Ob, Narim, and Tooina now a great City.526, 527. Certain Churches also are erected in those Parts; but no man forc'd to Religion; beyond Narim eastward on the River Telta is built the Castle of Comgoscoi, and all this Plantation began since the year 1590. with many other Towns like these. And these are the Countries from whence come all the Sables and rich Furrs.
The Samoeds have no Towns,Manners of the Samoeds. or certain place of abode,522, 555. but up and down where they find Moss for their Deer; they live in companies peaceably, and are govern'd by some of the Ancientest amongst them, but are Idolaters. They shoot wondrous cunningly; their Arrow heads are sharpned Stones, or Fishbones, which latter serve them also for Needles, their Thread being the Sinews of certain small Beasts, wherewith they sowe the Furrs which cloath them; the furry side in Summer outward, in Winter inward. They have many Wives, and their Daughters they sell to him who bids most; which, if they be not lik't, are turn'd back to their Friends, the Husband allowing onelyonly to the Father what the marriage Feast stood him in. Wives are brought to bed there by their Husbands, and the next day go about as before. They till not the Ground; but live on the Flesh of those Wild Beasts which they hunt. They are the onelyonly Guides to such as travaile Iougoria, Siberia, 548.or any of those north-east parts in Winter; being drawn on Sleds with Bucks, riding post day and night, if it be Moon-light; and lodge on the Snow under Tents of Deer Skins in whatever place they find enough of white Moss to feed their Sled Staggs, turning them loose to dig it up themselves out of the deep Snow: another Samoede stepping to the next Wood, brings in store of Firing; round about which they lodge within their Tents, leaving the top open to vent Smoak; in which manner they are as warm as the Stoves in Russia. They carry Provision of Meat with them, and partake besides of what Fowle or Venison the Samoede kills with shooting by the way; their Drink is melted Snow. Two Deer being yoak'd to a Sled riding post will draw 200 miles in 24 hours without resting, and laden with their Stuff will draw it 30 miles in 12.