FIRST EXPERIENCES 
59 
weeks in getting fixed np again. The old main¬ 
mast was utilized for a foremast, and a new main¬ 
mast and mainboom were made. After all was 
completed I asked for the bill. I had previously 
explained that I had no money with me, and that 
I should have to give an order on my agents in 
Yokohama for whatever the cost might be. Some 
difficulty was experienced in getting the account, 
but when it was finally produced, it amounted to 
about $104, an absurdly small sum for the work 
done and material supplied. I thought there must 
be some mistake, but was assured there was not; 
and if everything was done satisfactorily, I was 
at liberty to leave when I pleased. I thanked the 
officials, and said I wished to have the account 
in order to sign it and give an order for the amount 
on my friend in Yokohama. They informed me 
this was not necessary ; that the Governor of Sendai 
felt very sorry we had met with misfortune, and no 
charge would be made. He hoped that, should it 
ever be in my power to render assistance to any 
Japanese in a similar predicament, I would do what 
I could for them. 
With this I had to be satisfied. I could not 
understand why I was being so kindly dealt with, 
and, my knowledge of Japanese being indifferent, 
I thought I must have misunderstood the official 
through whom the affair was conducted. This was 
not the case, however, and I left on July 19 after 
writing a letter of thanks to the Governor of Sendai. 
On the way up to the sea-otter grounds, we called in 
at the island of Shikotan in order to set up our 
rigging afresh, it having stretched considerably. 
We got on the hunting-grounds on July 31, and on 
