ator, 'to
conceive anything more ludicrous than the manner in which the governor
walked. His eyes were cast down and fixed on the earth, and his hands
pressed closely against his sides, whilst he proceeded at so slow a
pace, that he scarcely moved one foot beyond the other, and kept his
feet wide apart. I saluted him after the European fashion, upon which
he raised his left hand to his forehead, and bowed his whole body
towards the ground.'

In the conversation that ensued, the governor expressed his regret
that the ignorance of the Japanese respecting the object of this visit
should have occasioned them to fire upon the _Diana_. He then closely
interrogated the captain as to the course and objects of his voyage,
his name, the name of his emperor, and whether he knew anything of
Resanoff. On the first of these heads, Golownin deemed it prudent to
use some deception, and he stated that he was proceeding to St
Petersburg, from the eastern extremity of the Russian Empire; that
contrary winds had considerably lengthened his voyage; and that, being
greatly in want of wood and fresh water, he had been looking on the
coasts for a safe harbour where these might be procured, and had been
directed by an officer at Eetooroop to Kunashir. To all the other
questions, he returned suitable answers, which were carefully written
down. The conference ended most amicably, and the captain was invited
to smoke tobacco, and partake of some tea, sagi,[2] and caviar.
Everything was served on a separate dish, and presented by a different
individual, armed with a poniard and sabre; and these attendants,
instead of going away after handing anything to the guests, remained
standing near, till at length they were surrounded by a formidable
circle of armed men. Golownin would not stoop to betray alarm or
distrust, but having brought some French brandy as a present to the
governor, he desired his sailors to draw a bottle, and took this
opportunity of repeating his order, that they should hold themselves
in readiness. There appeared, however, no intention of resorting to
violence. When he prepared to depart, the governor presented a flask
of sagi, and some fresh fish, pointing out to him at the same time a
net which had been cast to procure a larger supply. He also gave him a
white fan, with which he was to beckon, as a sign of amity, when he
came on shore again. The whole draught of fish was sent on board in
the evening.

On the following day, the