MANNER^S AND CUSTOMS. 



523 



started back when they tirst be- 

 held us, but finding that we were 

 unarmed, they advanced boldly, 

 seized us, bound our hands slightly 

 behind our backs, and conducted 

 us to a village on the shore. Our 

 guards never permitted themselves 

 to offer us the slightest insult or 

 ill-treatment of any kind ; on the 

 contrary, when they observed that 

 I limped, and walked with pain, 

 two of the soldiers took me by 

 the arms, and assisted me in as- 

 cending the hill, and passing over 

 slippery places. When we arrived 

 at the village, they led us into a 

 house where we found our com- 

 panions. 



Captain Golownin's narrative is 

 concluded with the happy relation 

 of tlieir final release from this 

 long captivity. 



The 5th of October was the 

 day appointed for m}' interview 

 with captain Rikord. The Japa- 

 nese proposed that Mr. Moor 

 should be present ; but this, to 

 their astonishment, he declined. 

 Mr. Chlebnikoif wished to enjoy 

 the satisfaction of seeing his 

 countrymen and companions, but 

 the Japanese were of opinion, 

 that considering Mr, Moor's dis- 

 ordered state of mind, it would 

 not be prudent to leave him 

 alone. 



On the morning of the 5th one 

 of the interpreters brought my 

 hat, and the other my sword, 

 which they presented to me with 

 demonstrations of great respect, 

 whilst they, at the same time, 

 sincerely congratulated me. In 

 compliance with the wish of the 

 Japanese, I dressed myself in a 

 rich silken jacket and loose trows- 

 sers, which had been made in 

 Chakodade for the occasion. The 



sword and cocked hat was cal- 

 culated to add to the singularity 

 of this dress in the eyes of Euro- 

 peans ; but this was an object of 

 indifference to the Japanese. As, 

 however, the restoration of our 

 swords indicated that the Japa- 

 nese no longer looked upon us as 

 prisoners, I readily acceded to 

 their wishes, and resolved to ap-' 

 pear before my companions in a 

 dress in which, had they not been 

 prepared for the meeting, they 

 might have found it difficult to 

 recognise me. In addition, my- 

 hair was far from being cut in 

 the Russian style, and had I 

 not recently shaved my long 

 beard, my appearance would have 

 been altogether extremely ludi- 

 crous. 



The place fixed upon for my 

 interview with Captain Rikord 

 was an apartment in the custom- 

 house, which was situated near 

 the shore. The three interpreters, 

 the academician, and a few of the 

 inferior officers, were ordered to 

 be present as witnesses. At mid- 

 day I was conducted to the 

 custom-house, round which a 

 number of troops were drawn up 

 in parade. I proceeded along 

 with the interpreters to the con- 

 ference chamber. The Japanese, 

 according to custom, seated them- 

 selves on the floor, but a seat was 

 handed to me. Captain Rikord 

 soon arrived in the Governor's 

 barge, accompanied by Mr. Saw- 

 eljeff, one of his officers, the in- 

 terpreter KiaselefF, and a few 

 sailors. The latter were stationed 

 in an open place in front of the 

 house, and Captain Rikord, Saw- 

 eljeft', and Kisseleft' entered the 

 apartment in which I was waitmg 

 to receive them.— I leave the 



reader 



