DASTARDLY ATTACKS 
253 
hunters and myself went ashore. We landed near 
the yurt , it being but a few yards above high-water 
level. It was constructed in the usual way, half 
underground, with a main apartment and a lobby, 
as described in the first part of this book, but without 
bunklike recesses at the sides. Against the door, 
which opened outwards from the lobby, were placed, 
in a leaning position, several pieces of wood, evidently 
to keep it closed and prevent any animals getting 
inside, although a bear, had one been in the vicinity, 
would have made short work of the flimsy obstruc¬ 
tions. We came to the conclusion that the owner 
was absent, and had probably gone over to the 
next island, where Lieutenant Gunji and his party 
were located. 
Opening up the place, we examined the interior. 
In the lobby we found tubs of water, rice, and other 
Japanese food, and cooking utensils. The main 
room was entered through a narrow opening from 
the lobby. Here we found clothing, books, Japanese 
plates and cups, a thermometer, barometer, rifle, 
ammunition, and various other things. It was very 
dark inside, light only coming in through a small 
opening in the end of the roof, and through the 
opening into the lobby. We left everything as it 
was and went outside. One of my hunters had 
a notion to go back for another look round. Pres¬ 
ently he called out: 44 Oh, here he is, dead !” I 
went in and found the hunter had struck a match, 
and discovered the dead man lying under some 
Japanese futon (wadded quilts) in the darkest corner 
of the room. There were no signs of discoloration 
or decomposition, and not the slightest odour from 
the dead body. On the face and forehead, on ex- 
