THE KURILSKY AINU 
33 
cattle and sheep also, which they had to attend to, 
were placed on the island. They were allowed so 
much rice, and a doctor and teacher were provided 
for them. Notwithstanding this change—for the 
better, one would think—they were very unhappy, 
and pined for their northern home with all its dirt 
and discomforts. The change from an almost wholly 
animal diet to one of rice and a few vegetables and 
fish did not suit them, and many died the first year. 
The Japanese officials placed over them were 
very arbitrary, and the poor creatures were in 
great fear of them. They told me they dare 
not leave the settlement, go out in a boat, kill a 
seal, or do anything out of their ordinary routine, 
without first obtaining permission from the 
officials. 
The last time I saw any of these natives was in 
1889. I was lying in Anama Bay, some six miles 
or so from their village. One of them, hearing that 
my vessel was there, secretly left the settlement, 
made his way over the hills to where we lay, and 
came on board. He had learnt to speak Japanese 
fairly well, and could also speak a little English. 
He told me his woes, and how they all longed to get 
back to their former homes. He finished his story, 
in the most plaintive voice imaginable, in these words: 
“ Shikotan no good ; Ushishir dobrey (good)—sea- 
lion ple-e-nty, sea-otter ple-e-nty, fur-seal ple-e-nty, 
bird ple-e-nty; Shikotan no-o got, Shikotan no-o 
got. 55 After he had been on board some time, a 
boat, manned by several men, was noticed pulling 
into the bay. He recognized them, and said they 
were coming to look for him, and asked to be hidden 
until they went away ; so he was sent into the fore- 
3 
