Only forty of Poyarkov’s men are left…

Only forty of Poyarkov’s men are left alive by the spring of 1644.

Joined now by the overwintering party, they push down the Zeya to the Amur.

They have to fight their way down the Amur through numerous ambushes, their reputation having preceded them.

They reach the Gilyak country at the mouth of the Amur by autumn.

Poyarkov, with so many enemies behind him, thinks it unwise to return by the same route.

They build boats this winter.