PAST AND PRESENT. 203 



his flag. We were also ordered not to fire the time im- 

 memorial blank musket at sunset, and this simply be- 

 cause the Japanese objected to any foreigner firing guns 

 on their waters. Another order was, that we were to 

 receive on board a Japanese guard. A sentry was 

 placed on each gangway, and a Yakonin (officer) of 

 these queer people paraded the quarter-deck. The 

 former allowed no communication with the shore ; the 

 latter was in general charge of H.M. ship and every- 

 body on board. It must have been a proud moment, 

 or rather time, for this celestial. We midshipmen soon 

 made friends with the Yakonin, who delighted in 

 spending his evenings in our berth. I am afraid it 

 must be owned that rum or other spirits, besides wine 

 and beer, were all appreciated by our guest. 



The authorities allowed us to get water from a 

 small river far away from the town, but watched us 

 most narrowly when we were so employed. No fresh 

 provisions would they sell us, or otherwise allow any 

 communication on shore. It may be easily imagined 

 that any one in command of an English squadron who 

 could submit to such ridiculous and humiliating treat- 

 ment, was hardly the man to give a good account of an 

 enemy. The absurd fiasco in respect to our search for 

 the Eiissian ships in that year is too well known to be 

 repeated here. The only chance our ships had of get- 



