84 '* HUNTING THE SEA OTTER. 



Interpreter (delightedly) : " Then you are robbers, and 

 we will confiscate your vessel and everything belonging 

 to it." 



This made us laugh heartily. 



/ (sarcastically) : " You do not seem to be aware that r 

 even if you own this island, according to international law, 

 your jurisdiction cannot extend beyond three miles from 

 the shore ; and the sea otter is found far beyond that limit." 



This was evidently a poser, necessitating another long 

 consultation, when Snow incautiously added, " Besides, you 

 knew we were coming here, we made no secret of it, why 

 did you not tell us at Hakodate ? Moreover, I was here 

 last year and met with no interruption ; the Governor of 

 Nemoro then," pointing to that exalted functionary, " why 

 did he not warn us if our actions were illegal according to 

 Japanese ideas ? " 



Interpreter : " When you were here last year did you 

 hunt at all within three miles of the shore ? " 



Snow : "Very possibly. I certainly did not measure the 

 distance." 



Interpreter (joyfully) : " Then we will take you to- 

 Hakodate. The others may go, but having admitted that 

 you may have hunted last year within three miles of our 

 coast is sufficient to show that you have been defrauding 

 the Japanese Government.'' 



This was all amusing enough. But if they had not right 

 they certainly had might on their side, and if they liked to 

 carry out their design it would mean nothing less than the 

 collapse of the expedition, just as the best hunting weather 

 had arrived. 



In the whispered council that was held amongst us Snow 

 asked what was to be done, remarking that if they did take 

 him it might, perhaps, be as well, for we should be able to 

 claim heavy compensation for such an unwarrantable 

 proceeding. In this view the skipper was inclined to 

 acquiesce, but I would not. " No, no," I exclaimed, " If 

 you go it will be impossible to hunt with only two boats ; 



