CONTENTS 
IX 
CHAPTER VII 
FRUITLESS NEGOTIATIONS AND THEIR 
CONSEQUENCES 
PAGES 
A lost season—Loss of the Dolphin —Some accidents— 
Attempts to obtain concession for hunting—-Japanese 
procrastination—-Some reminiscences—The Ottosei — 
Once more on the hunting-grounds—A fight in a 
hunting-boat—I kill an otter, and wound one of my 
men—Lost in a fog—Attempts to make a fire, and 
results—In a tide-rip—The Caroline's narrow escapes— 
<e Old Joe ”—Loss of the Caroline with all hands— 
Return to Hakodate—Some Hakodate reminiscences 
—Ainu skeletons—Hakodate crows—An otter-hunting 
yarn - 121-145 
CHAPTER VIII 
I DISCOVER A NEW FUR-SEAL ROOKERY 
The Otome —Once more on the hunting-grounds—Deserters 
—Proceed to the northern Kurils—Otters plentiful—A 
white otter—Trout in a curious place—Capsized in 
landing—At Shikotan—Our catch—Return to Yoko¬ 
hama—Voyage of 1879 —Visit to Bonin Islands— 
Turtling—Sail again for the north—Narrow escape in 
Roko Bay—Wreck of the Dido —Loss of the Eliza — 
Boats capsized-—Men drowned—Fate of the North 
Star's winter hunting-parties—End of the season— 
Voyage of 1880 —Islands visited—Sea-birds’ eggs— 
Narrow escape in tide-rip—Trading for skins—Japanese 
fishing-boat nine months adrift in North Pacific — 
Return to port—A short trip for seals—Voyage of 1881 
—Hunter burnt to death—Sail from Yokohama— 
Amongst the icefields—Narrow escape—Discovery of 
fur-seal rookery on Srednoy—Taking the risk of a 
capsize — Clubbing seals — Trouble with sea-lions— 
Return with nearly 2,500 skins—Back to Srednoy— 
