212 
THE RESULT OF AN APPEAL. 
indeed, we could carry a tent with us and go upon a regu- 
lar voyage of discovery for a week.” 
“That’s a good idea,” said Bridleman ; “but, as we are 
now half-way on shore, we’d better put it off to another 
day.” 
The boat here ranged up to the rocky and picturesque 
landing, and we stepped ashore under the heavy foliage 
of unknown trees, and wended our interesting path be- 
tween their sturdy, live-oak-like trunks and under their 
sheltering arms. It was the third time we had been on 
shore in Si-mo-da; but we could not tire of that shady 
walk or of looking ai’ound eveiy bush and corner for 
something new. The reflection that we were among a 
people who for hundreds of years had existed entirely 
among themselves lent an interest to every object that 
crossed our path, and caused the blood to flow through 
our veins with the nervous excitement of intense curi- 
osity. 
The first object of note that we passed was a Govern- 
ment spy-house, — a small bamboo building, — ^which had 
been erected near the landing, since our arrival, for the 
express purpose of enabling the Government spies, who 
occupied it, to note every American who came on shore 
and cause him to be followed or watched by one or more 
of their number. We had, upon both of our previous 
visits, been excessively annoyed by these spies, and had 
complained to the governor of being thus watched ; but 
he excused his Government with the barefaced assertion 
that “they were sent along with us to keep us from get- 
ting lost, and 7ioi as spies upon our movements,” adding 
that “if we did not want them we had only to send them 
