32 
IN FORBIDDEN SEAS 
boat was constructed, without a nail or a piece of 
metal of any kind being used in it. Short oars, 
worked on pins or in grommets of sea-lion hide, were 
used to propel the boat. A mast and an old sail, 
probably got out of some wreck, completed the 
outfit. 
Previous to the removal of those Kurilsky who 
chose to remain Russians after the exchange of 
territory, these natives possessed skin - covered 
bidarlcis , such as are used by the Aleuts. All these, 
however, seem to have disappeared with the Russian 
contingent. 
The Kurilsky inhabiting the central islands fre¬ 
quently shifted their quarters from one island to 
another. When this “ flitting 55 took place, it was 
a matter of serious consideration. The weather 
had to be watched very closely, both for storms and 
fogs. Should the latter set in when they were at 
sea, there was great risk of their not being able to 
find their destination, as they possessed no compass, 
and the currents were strong and uncertain. On 
these voyages the women and youths did most of 
the rowing, whilst an old chief captained each boat, 
steering with an oar. 
The natives who remained on the northern Kurils 
after they became Japanese territory continued to 
reside in their old settlement for several years, and 
then, much to their sorrow, were removed by order 
of the Japanese Government to the island of Shiko- 
tan. Their dogs were all killed and their boats left 
behind. They were located at Shakotan, a small 
bay on the north side of the island. Here a village 
was laid out and built. They were made to work, 
and encouraged to cultivate plots of land. Some 
