50 HUNTING THE SEA OTTER. 



The island of Skotan lay on our starboard quarter, rising 

 with its mountains to a height of one thousand four hundred 

 feet above the sea; the bright sun and swiftly passing 

 clouds showed their summits of the colour of heather in 

 every change of light and shadow. Skotan is entirely 

 uninhabited, a few Einos in the summer months only use 

 the one little land-locked harbour for their nets and boats 

 to catch and cure fish for their winter provision. It was 

 intended to explore the island on our return, and if it 

 seemed prudent to winter there for the purpose of trapping, 

 as a black fox had been shot here by an American whaling 

 captain, but circumstances were not favourable, and 

 probably the dangers to be encountered would not have 

 been compensated by the profits. By nine o'clock the fog, 

 which still enveloped Yetorup, lifted bodily, and we caught 

 a first glimpse of our destination in the bold rocky headland 

 of Roko Bay. 



