ambassador at Tokio. We took them a
short distance to sea with us, and after seeing one or two evolutions
they returned to Yokohama in the "Vigilant," whilst we resumed our
voyage.

CHAPTER XI.

From clime to clime, from sea to sea, we roam,
'Tis one to us--we head not yet for home.

NORTHWARD--HAKODADI--DUI--CASTRIES BAY--
BARRACOUTA--VLADIVOSTOCK.

Shortly after rounding Mela Head and shaping our course to the
northward, the temperature underwent a marked change, in fact so
suddenly were we ushered into a colder zone that everybody is on the
search for pocket handkerchiefs, these articles being in very general
demand.

The eastern coast of Niphon, along which we are now cruising, has
several admirable harbours and sheltered anchorages. Two days after
leaving Yokohama we found the ship standing in for the land and making
for Yamada, one of the securest harbours on the coast. Bold hills and
headlands, clothed in the easily recognisable dark green foliage of the
fir, rear themselves on either hand as we pass into the outer bay. This
outer sheet of water--for there is an inner--has a very broad opening
seaward, but suddenly, on changing course, a narrow inlet reveals a
noble bay, perfectly land-locked with a village of considerable size at
its head. No sooner had our anchor left the bows than a volunteer party
asked and obtained permission to go fishing. So far, however, as
catching fish was concerned, the expedition was a signal failure,
though, looked at in the light of enjoyment, it was a perfect success.
Along the beach of this arcadia an abundance of flowers grow in a wild
state, amongst them the rose, whose beauty, bloom, and fragrance
equalled those of the choicest culture in our English garden; and on
looking at them and the other familiar flowers around, we might have
been forgiven for fancying ourselves at home. Whence come our
associates, and why is it that even the fragrance of a flower is capable
of seizing hold on the mind, and transporting it to the utmost limits of
a continent?

The usual wondering throng of natives speedily gathered around us, eager
to participate in the viands which we were endeavouring to stow away.
Fortunately we had plenty of biscuit with which to satisfy their
curiosity; but it was a long time before they could be prevailed upon to
drink out of a basin of cocoa. When we offered it to them they touched
their heads and swayed their bodies to and fro, making