CHAPTER IX 
A PRISONER IN RUSSIAN HANDS 
On May 5, 1883, we left Yokohama in the Otome 
for another voyage. On the way up we had a 
narrow escape, nearly running on the rocks off the 
east coast of Yezo during a thick fog. Although a 
good look-out was kept and the lead hove at 
intervals, we suddenly found ourselves with reefs, 
rocks, and breakers, all round us. Fortunately, 
being midday, with smooth water and a moderate 
breeze, we had no difficulty in “ going about” and 
clearing the dangers. We reached Yetorup on 
May 17, and lowered boats for hunting next day, 
but saw no otters ; the following day, however, 
we killed one. 
On May 20, when about forty-five miles from 
the north-east end of Yetorup, loud thundering and 
explosive noises were heard. It proved to be the 
volcano at the north-east end of the island in 
violent eruption, and soon after we saw vast 
quantities of smoke issuing from the crater. As 
we got closer thick fog obscured the view, and 
when we passed to leeward of the mountain we were 
covered with fine volcanic ashes. Passing Simushir, 
we could see that the volcano on the south-west 
end of that island had also recently been in eruption, 
and much black-looking rocky matter thrown up, 
172 
