CHAPTER VII 
FRUITLESS NEGOTIATIONS AND THEIR 
CONSEQUENCES 
My vessels had been appropriately named. The 
Swallow had swallowed up part of my finances, and 
the Snowdrop caused me to drop the rest. Neither 
was insured. When in Hakodate, my friend Cap¬ 
tain Blakiston asked me if I intended to continue 
otter-hunting or give it up. My reply was that it 
had given me up, for my funds were exhausted, and 
I had no choice. With his usual generosity, he said 
that need not trouble me, as I could have all the 
money from him I wanted to buy and fit out another 
vessel, if I still thought there was something in it. 
That was exactly what I did think, and on arrival 
in Yokohama, although the season was far advanced, 
I set about seeking for a vessel, but could not find a 
suitable craft. 
The hunting-vessels that were up that season did 
fairly well, but not without some casualties. The 
sloop Dolphin , whilst lying in a harbour of Shikotan, 
lost her captain and owner. He was overcome by 
the fumes of a charcoal fire in his cabin, and, falling 
across the brazier containing the charcoal, was 
dreadfully burned about the groin and stomach, 
his intestines being exposed. The poor fellow 
lingered for some days, begging those with him 
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