those on the rafts, telling us what to do, and
promising that the boats should remain by us should the worst come to
the worst. The night was dark and squally. The catamarans rode over
the sea better than was expected, although at times we scarcely expected
to see another sunrise. When day at length broke, we were still in
sight of each other, but there was no abatement in the gale, nor could
land anywhere be discerned.

"Though we had weathered one night, from the experience we had had we
earnestly hoped that we might not be exposed to a still severer gale,
and yet there seemed every likelihood of the wind increasing. For my
part, I began to think it was a pity those in the boats should expose
themselves to greater danger by remaining by us, and was considering
that we ought to urge the commander to leave us to make the best of our
way, when a sail appeared in sight to the southward. As she stood
towards us we made her out to be an American whaler. On coming up to us
she hove to, when our commander went on board. We were, it may be
supposed, not a little anxious to know what arrangements he would make
with the master of the whaler. He was not long in settling matters. In
a short time he made a signal for the other boats to come alongside,
which they quickly did. The stores and the people not required for
pulling were at once taken on board. The boats then came off to the
rafts, when we all got into them and towed the rafts up to the ship.
The stores were at once hoisted up, when the rafts were cast adrift,
while our larger boats were allowed to tow astern, as they could not be
taken on board. The American captain, who was bound to the coast of
Japan in search of whales, agreed to land us at Yokohama.

"The voyage, however, was much longer than we expected. We were first
of all caught in a heavy gale which came on that night, and were
compelled to heave to, when we lost the boats towing astern. A day or
two after this several whales were seen, which the captain was naturally
anxious to catch. As he had plenty of hands on board, he put off with
all his boats, and no less than three fish were killed. Then we had to
cut them up and stow them away, which occupied the best part of a week.
Scarcely was the operation concluded when two more whales were seen and
taken, the American captain acknowledging that it was owing much to our
assistance that he was able to secure such prizes.

"After this we had calms