PACIFIC AND BEERING’S STRAIT. 
453 
distant islands of Kirrama, and far, in a northern direction, the cone of C^AP. 
Ee-goo-sacoo, said to be covered with houses rising in a spiral direction 
up its sides. The whole when viewed on a fine day, and when the 
harbour is enlivened by boats passing to and fro with well-dressed 
people chanting their harmonious boatsong, has a pleasing effect which 
it is difficult to describe. 
Before our sails were furled the ship was surrounded by boats of 
various descriptions, and the tops of the houses on shore, the walls, and 
the forts at the entrance of the harbour, were crowded with spectators 
watching our operations. Several persons came on board, and with a re- 
spectful salutation begged permission to be allowed to look over the ship ; 
but they were interrupted by the approach of a boat with an officer, ap- 
parently of rank, whom they wished to avoid. His person underwent 
a severe scrutiny through our telescopes long before he came on board, 
and we could distinctly see that he had not the hatchee-matchee, or 
low cylindrical cap worn by persons of rank in Loo Choo, in the same 
manner as the cap and buttons are by the mandarins of China, yet he 
was evidently a man of consequence, from the respect paid him by the 
natives in making room for his approach. When he came alongside he 
was invited upon deck, but for some time he stood minutely examining 
the outside of the ship, counting the number of port- holes, and appa- 
rently forming an estimate of her length and height. At last he 
ascended the side and made a low salutation on the quarter deck, 
bowing his head in a respectful manner, and clasping his hands to his 
breast, as before described. Finding we could not understand his lan- 
guage he waved his hand to seaward, in intimation that we should not 
be allowed to remain in the port. He then looked down upon the 
gun deck and pursued his examination of the inside of the ship with 
the same rigour that he had bestowed upon the exterior, making notes 
of what he saw. When he was satisfied, he expressed his thanks for 
our civility and returned to the shore. 
Soon after his departure, several well-dressed persons, with boys 
holding parasols over them, were observed coming off to us : they were 
seated in Chinese style upon mats spread in the bottom of the boat, 
over neat ratan platforms, and were propelled by several persons workin^^ 
