ijo HUNTING THE SEA OTTER. 



a boat and he set off, intending to board the steamer, whose 

 nationality we were by no means certain of, as their flag at 

 that distance was indistinguishable. Before he was half- 

 way across, however, he was met by a boat from the* 

 steamer, which, after a brief parley, continued her course 

 towards us; the skipper turning and following them. There 

 was no doubt now that they were a naval crew, for the boat 

 pulled twelve oars double banked, and we could see the 

 glitter of uniforms. 



All the otter skins which had been brought on deck to 

 dry were hastily put away, leaving a few which were still 

 stretched on their frames as evidence of our occupation,, 

 and at which the crew were busily at work cleaning and 

 scraping. 



We exhibited neither surprise nor perturbation as a 

 smart little naval officer, a captain of marines, and an 

 interpreter stepped on board, and were shown into the 

 cabin. They asked the usual questions name of vessel, 

 where from, etc. also the somewhat momentous one, why 

 were we here ? To this we answered that we were in 

 search of wood and water, of which we had run short. 

 Where did we get water? Out of a stream close to where 

 their vessel was lying, and to which we purposed coming 

 as soon as a breeze sprang up. After this they left us, the 

 naval officer having first written his name upon a piece of 

 paper which he gave us, to show that we had been over- 

 hauled. They were very nice and polite, and, as a good 

 breeze had just sprung up, we offered to take them in tow 

 across. But this offer was declined. 



We learned from the interpreter that the steamer was 

 called the Osaka, and was the Admiral's yacht ; also that 

 her tender, a gunboat, was expected to join them that day. 



As soon as they had gone we got underweigh, and 

 followed them to the other side ; but before we had pro- 

 ceeded far and had opened out the bay, we saw the tender 

 steam round the bluff we had just left. The breeze had by 

 this time lost its strength, and she rapidly overhauled us, 



