162 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



I replied that their owners referred me to him ; and when he began to shuffle and prevaricate, 

 I told the interpreter to say to him that ' ' he had trifled with us, had lied, and tried to deceive 

 us from the beginning, and that we would be trifled with no more ; that if he intended to let us 

 have the junks, he could easily send for the captains and give his orders or permit ; and that if 

 he did not so intend, to say no, and I would go and make a report of it to Captain Abbot, but 

 that I would not go away without something decisive." On this he called an attendant, and 

 sent him for the captains of the junks. 



The Supply had now got in and anchored, and I went and brought Captain Sinclair, of that 

 ship, to see the mandarin, and so have the whole matter transferred to his (Captain S.'s) hands. 

 The Hip-toy had in the meantime seen the junk owners, and they were to come down at night 

 and anchor by the Supply, so as to be ready to start early in the morning. 



In the afternoon I went with Captain Sinclair and some of his officers to the mines, (e,f, g,) 

 to show them the coal, and, by Captain Abbot's directions, to purchase all that was sufficiently 

 large for our purposes, which I did at $16 for each hundred piculs. They demanded $20. The 

 Hip-toy had said that we ought to give but $12, and $12 is probably the regular price ; but we 

 thought it cheap at $16, and were glad to get it at that. The junks came down after dark, 

 and, anchoring near the Supply, took the coal bags on board. 



Saturday, 22. — Passed Midshipman Breese went over with the junks to attend to getting the 

 coal, and during the day they came back loaded with part of our purchase. 



I was desirous of following up some other indications towards the head of the valley east- 

 ward from Kelung, and went off in the forenoon prepared for explorations. We visited 

 three mines, marked o, p, q — all, however, abandoned, and with the roofs fallen down. At o 

 we could not penetrate at all ; p has a strike north and south, its dip towards the east ; at q 

 the strike is northeast, tbe dip southeast. At the last mine we came at once to the coal, no 

 tunnel being necessary. The water at the bottom of this mine was strongly impregnated with 

 iron, but the coal seemed to be of good quality. There is also a coal-mine somewhere about r, 

 on the opposite side of the creek, but where I could not discover. 



A native sent Captain Abbot word to-day that he would bring him a boat-load of coal from 

 town if it would be received at night. 



The Hip-toy, referring to our success in these explorations, told the captain's steward 

 (a Chinaman) that the authorities must have been sold to us by some one on shore. 

 Sunday, 23. — The Macedonian sailed, leaving the Supply to finish with the coal. 



I wish to express here my obligations to Caj)tain Abbot and his officers, especially to the first 

 lieutenant, Mr. Avery, for the facilities they have given me in these explorations. Purser 

 Allison has always assisted in them personally when his duties on board would permit. Passed 

 Midshipman Breese and Mr. Williams have given me essential aid. 



During our stay at Kelung the ship was abundantly supplied with meats, fruits, and vege- 

 tables by the boats alongside, or from the markets on shore. Chickens, ducks, and geese were 

 abundant ; bullocks were brought off when we desired it ; pineapples, large and of good flavor, 

 mangoes, lichees, bananas, and pears were plentiful ; sweet potatoes of an excellent kind, and 

 vegetables of a variety of sorts, could be had in any quantities, and all were at moderate prices. 



Navy buttons were taken in exchange, four small ones being valued at $1, and two large 

 ones at $1 25. One of the seamen told me that he catered for his whole mess during our stay 

 with navy buttons, getting a fowl for a small button, and fruits and vegetables in proportion. 



