DISTRESS OF A ^VHALER. 131 



that might possibly exercise a hostile influence 

 upon the existing institutions. 



A whaler that had exceeded his appointed 

 stay on the coast, had completely exhausted his 

 stock of water and provisions. In this distress, 

 although fully aware of the severe prohibition, 

 the captain resolved to pay a visit to the Empe^ 

 ror in his capital, and accordingly, without 

 ceremony, sailed into the Bay of Jeddo, vvhere 

 he cast anchor within gunshot of the city. The 

 hubbub among the inhabitants, who had never 

 seen an European vessel before, may be ima- 

 gined. The shore immediately swarmed with 

 soldiers, and armed boats surrounded the ship. 

 From these martial preparations, the crew ap- 

 prehended that it was intended to make them 

 pay for their temerity with their lives ; but their 

 fears proved unfounded. As soon as the Japa- 

 nese had taken the necessary precautions to 

 prevent the vessel either from leaving the spot 

 where she had first anchored, or from sending a 

 boat on shore, a handsome barge came along- 

 side, from which two Bonjoses, dressed in silk, 

 and each armed with two sabres, stepped on 



