132 CONDUCT OF THE JAPANESE 



board : they were accompanied by an inter- 

 preter who spoke a little broken Dutch. They 

 saluted the captain politely, inquiring the ob- 

 ject of his visit, and whether he was not aware 

 that the coast of Japan was not accessible under 

 pain of death ? The captain acknowledged 

 himself aware of the prohibition, but stated that 

 the emergency of the case had left him no choice: 

 the Bonjoses thereupon searched the vessel, and 

 having satisfied themselves that she was really 

 destitute of provisions and water, they took 

 leave of the captain with the same civility they 

 had shown him on their arrival. A multitude 

 of boats with persons of both sexes now issued 

 from the city, to feast their eyes upon the novel 

 spectacle, but they were not allowed to approach 

 within the circle marked by the watch-boats. 

 The same day, the interpreter returned, bring- 

 ing water and every species of provisions, suffi- 

 cient for several weeks, declaring that the Em- 

 peror furnished every thing gratuitously, as 

 the government would deem it a disgrace to 

 accept payment from those whom distress had 

 driven to their shore ; but as the captain's 

 necessities were now provided for, he was or- 



