170 
IN FORBIDDEN SEAS 
or I would have taken the chance of being run down 
by holding my course, and trusting to recover 
damages if sunk or injured. 
There were eleven foreign schooners hunting 
during the season of 1881, most of which made 
catches of seals as well as otters, the total capture 
amounting to 300 otters and about 14,000 seals. 
This season was marked by some of the hunting- 
vessels extending their venture into the Bering Sea, 
three or four paying Bering Island a visit, and 
securing several hundred seals. Some people from 
the American schooner Diana attempted to land near 
one of the seal rookeries on Copper Island, but on 
approaching the shores were fired upon by the 
natives. Several Japanese sailors were killed, and 
other Japanese and two European hunters badly 
wounded. The boats were got on board with diffi¬ 
culty, and the schooner ran for Petropaulsky in 
order to get the wounded attended to and the 
occurrence reported. The Russian officials con¬ 
fiscated some 500 seals, which they claimed had been 
taken in Russian waters, but did not take away her 
sea-otter skins, of which she had ninety-one. These, 
with her seals, had been captured in the vicinity of 
the Kuril Islands and elsewhere prior to her visit to 
Copper Island. On the Diana's return to Yokohama 
an inquiry into the affair was held at the American 
Consulate. It was also reported to Washington, 
and claims for redress and compensation made, but 
without success.. When attempting to land on 
Copper Island, the Diana's boats 5 crews were entirely 
unarmed ; they knew the natives were there, and 
their object was to obtain some seals from them if 
arrangements could be made. 
