CHAPTER XII. 



THE third day after leaving Otter Island we reached 

 Jap Bay, about noon. As soon as the anchor was down 

 we started in the boats, the fog appearing less dense than 

 it was outside. We sighted several otters, of which we 

 shot a couple, both full grown, with fine pelts. 



Crossing the bay, we skirted the base of Green Bluff; and 

 in a small patch of kelp came upon a school of about fifty. 

 But they sighted us at once, and, startled at our proximity, 

 dived and disappeared in a moment. The few shots fired 

 were without effect, and hunting had to be abandoned, for 

 the fog was getting thicker every minute. So keeping 

 close together, we groped our way back, and were glad 

 when an answering shout told us the whereabouts of 

 the schooner. The following day was devoted to getting 

 wood and water, the chase being impossible on account 

 of our usual obstacle. All hands had a busy morning, but 

 after tiffin the skipper and I went off to try and get a 

 shot at a bear, the tracks of which were plentiful at the 

 watering place. 



It was quite a treat to get on shore again ; July was 

 drawing to a close, and such flowers and plants as wasted 

 their sweetness on this foggy land should now be at their 

 brightest and best. 



The air was warm and genial, and as we left the sea it 

 became clearer and less charged with moisture. We soon 

 emerged from the scanty grass which bordered the stream, 

 and entered a thicket of stunted birch and alder which 

 extended almost to the water's edge. Tall grass, hemlock, 

 and wild rhubarb, with leaves like umbrellas, spreading 



L 2 



