1845.] ARRIVAL AT QUELPART. 325 



extremity of the Japanese Group. Here we met the anti- 

 cipated gale, but by dint of carrying canvas, crawled 

 under the lee of Gotto, which we rounded about seven 

 on the following morning, experiencing a very heavy 

 squall as we opened the land westerly. That night as the 

 gale moderated, we increased our canvas and fetched over 

 to the Island of Quelpart, under the protection of which we 

 continued beating, until we got its northern island under 

 our lee. At daylight we bore up, and about 6 o'clock an- 

 chored off the southern bay of this island, which here forms 

 a channel with the great island, about two miles in width. 

 The current set strongly through to the southward. 



As soon as our sails were furled and boats equipped, 

 preparations were made for landing the tents and instru- 

 ments ; upon which a body of fishermen, natives of a small 

 village on the near slope of a hill, assembled to receive 

 us, and motioned to land at what they considered a more 

 eligible spot. Being inattentive to their wishes, one of 

 them deliberately placed his shoulder to the stem of my 

 gig and pushed her off, the others at the same time 

 waving either to depart or land more to the left, which 

 was clear of rocks. Our Chinese interpreter was unable 

 to make them comprehend, and probably mistaking his 

 attempt to parley for indecision, I thought it better to put 

 the matter beyond further doubt ; directing the men, 

 therefore, to pull in, I leaped on shore, with a musket, 

 followed by my crew, with their arms, and took posses- 

 sion of the mound. They instantly perceived that we 

 were not to be trifled with, and a better understanding 

 was soon established between us. One of the elders, 

 who appeared to understand Chinese characters, was in- 



