ENDERMO HARBOR. 469 



heading east, made for an indentation in the land, supposed to be the entrance to the harbor of 

 Volcano Bay, and with a depth of water of seventeen fathoms and a fair wind, before which 

 she was going at nine knots, the whole circuit of the large bay soon opened to the sight. An 

 amphitlieatre of lofty mountains, with summits covered with snow, surrounded the land, which 

 gradually lessened in height as it descended toward the hills and uplands that rose immediately 

 from the shore. To the northeast were two volcanoes in active eruption, throwing out convul- 

 sively their thick smoke, which, as it swept before the breeze, darkened with its passing but 

 ever recurring shadow the snow which glittered like silver upon the sunlit summits of the 

 neighboring mountains. 



Passing a small island, called Olason, from one of Captain Broughton's men who was buried 

 there, the Southampton stood up the channel of Endermo, and anchored in the evening near the 

 land, where a few houses, a fortification upon an adjacent hill, and some sheds upon the shore, 

 indicated a settlement. Soon two officials came off in a boat, rowed by a number of Indians, 

 (as they are called,) the native ainos, and upon reaching the ship the Japanese functionaries 

 produced a bit of paper in which was wrapped some rice and a piece of wood, and displaying 

 the contents, pointing at the same time to some water, asked, by signs, if either of these was 

 required. The chief dignitary, who, in addition to the usual Japanese official costume, wore 

 an outside coat with a red collar and a great deal of embroidery, and seemed to be a military 

 personage, was not apparently disposed to be very friendly toward his visitors. Upon his being 

 made to understand that if any fish, vegetables, eggs, or poultry could be obtained from the 

 land, the Americans would be glad to purchase them, the Japanese officer sent his boat ashore, 

 apparently with the view of ascertaining. Upon its return, the only article brought back was 

 a bundle of stems, looking like those of the rhubarb plant, with the information that, in conse- 

 quence of the weather, there were no fish, and only three chickens in the place. 



Next morning a surveying party commenced their operations in the bay, and continued them 

 during the stay of the ship. Little was to be had from the shore in the way of provisions, but 

 the bay abounded in clams, muscles, and fish, and large supplies were obtained. • The inhabi- 

 tants, who were mostly ainos, had been very much alarmed at the arrival of the Southampton, 

 and were seen hurrying away from the harbor and village with all their property heaped upon 

 their backs, so that the land was quite deserted. The few Japanese officials became gradually 

 more friendly, and frequently visited the ship and partook of its hospitalities. Nothing 

 occurred of especial interest during the visit to Endermo bay beyond the blazing up one night 

 of another volcano, making three which were seen from the ship in a state of active eruption at 

 the same time. The sudden starting up of a broad and vivid flame from the summit of a 

 mountain in the midst of the night, dispelling at once the darkness which enveloped sea and 

 land, produced a grand effect. The other two volcanoes merely emitted smoke, while the third 

 continued in a blaze. 



Lieutenant Boyle, commander of the Southampton, visited Olason island, at the mouth of 

 Endermo Bay, previous to his departure, and found the grave of the buried sailor left there by 

 Captain Broughton. The Japanese authorities had respected the remains, though they had 

 been interred more than three-fourths of a century, and built on the spot where they rested one 

 of the usual tombs of the country, with the ordinary marks of mourning. The survey havino- 

 been completed, the ship sailed to join the squadron at Simoda, pursuant to orders. 



The Commodore, on the next day after the visit from Kangsayu, went on shore to call upon 



