196 



EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



During the run to tlie Bonin Islands, the crews were occasionally heat to quarters hy way 

 of exercise, and on one occasion after dark. Night signals were made to the Saratoga hy means 

 of lanterns and hlue lights, and to those who were not " old salts" enough to have seen such 

 sights hefore, the effect was alike novel and exciting. The blue lights illuminating the hroad 

 sails, at their full tension under the influence of the monsoon, the men at their several stations, 

 all brought out in the glare of an artificial light, which, though bright as daylight, yet was of 

 unearthly aspect, gave to the scene somewhat of a startling effect^ and forcibly impressed the 

 imagination with the peculiar features of a night engagement. The next morning after this 

 exhibition (Sunday) was fresh and cool, and it was pleasant, as the vessels held on their pros- 

 perous way over a smooth sea, to see the crews all newly washed, clean, and dressed in their 

 suits of snowy duck with broad blue collars, while everything about the vessel wore a trim, 

 holiday air, and those not on duty were waiting for five bells to gather around the cbaijlain's 

 temporary pulpit — the capstan — and join in the services of the day, so peculiarly appropriate 

 from men "who go down to the sea in ships, and whose path is in the great waters." The 

 favoring circumstances all continuing, on the 14th of June, at 10 a. m., the ships found them- 

 selves off the entrance of Port Lloyd, on Peel Island, one of the Bonins. The Saratoga had 

 been previously cast off, and was now ordered to go ahead. Two vessels, apparently whalers, 

 hove in sight, one on either quarter. The one to the northward showed American colors, and 

 began to beat down toward the Susquehanna, anxious probably to know the meaning of 

 such a strange event as the appearance of one of her country's large armed steamers in that 

 remote spot. The three islands called Peel, Buckland, and Stapleton, constitute the principal 

 part of that group, and lie close together. They are high, bold, and rocky, and, though not 

 so beautiful and green as Lew Chew, are yet exceedingly picturesque. Pilots put off from th < 

 island to both ships, and soon both were safely anchored in the harbor of Port Lloyd, 



liaiiitjoo Village, Lew Chew. 



