THE RUSSIAN PROVES A TRUE PROPHET. 
2011 
a gospel truthj — strange words to be seen in that infidel 
land. 
“ Poor Hamilton !” said one pensive voice. The others 
passed lightly on to other subjects; and, as night ap- 
proached, we took our leave and returned on board, 
several two-sworded officials attending us to the beach. 
Thus ended our first day in Japan. 
We awoke the next morning with the very reasonable 
hope of having a fresh breakfast, — soft-boiled eggs, a 
broiled chicken, or something of that sort ; but there was 
no such good fortune in store for us. We ate our usual sea- 
breakfast, and then began to abuse Tatz-nosky. “ Well, 
you may abuse him as much as you choose,” said Cavi- 
losky, our Russian friend, who came on board just at the 
time : “ did I not tell you yesterday that they would bring 
you nothing?” The Russian was right; for, during the 
several months that we were in or about Japan, we never 
once received fresh provisions for the crew, and only 
rarely a stray chicken or a duck for ourselves. Rice, 
soya, (a very fine fish-sauce,) and saki, (a strong and not 
unpleasant liquor made from rice,) were the only things 
they ever furnished us in abundance ; and, had it not 
been for the former of these, we should have been in a 
starving condition. 
Upon one occasion we saw several hundred chickens 
in a bamboo pen in the very centre of Si-mo-da; but, 
before we could find the proper person to order some 
sent on board, they had disappeared. Upon complaining 
of this to Tatz-noskjq his excuse was that they had been 
previously sold, but that we should certainly have some 
before long. This indefinite date never arrived. Upon 
14 
