VIII.
As the road over these high mountains was filled with difficulties and danger, we now determined to direct our steps towards the coast, creeping along during the day and hiding by night in the woods and among the hills. As we were descending from the heights we suddenly caught sight of some mounted soldiers, who were on the 78 same road which we were travelling, and coming directly towards us. We immediately crept into a hollow, and hid among some bushes. The soldiers, fortunately, rode by without perceiving us, but we now saw plainly enough how vigilant our pursuers were. We grew bolder, however, and on the following night, passed through a village, in order to take a look at a couple of boats which we saw lying on the shore near to it. We found that they were in good condition, but much too small for us to trust ourselves in on the open sea.
During the day as we lay concealed in a thicket, we prepared every thing that was necessary for the success of our anticipated flight. We sewed two of our shirts together for a sail, and made all the necessary rigging of some ropes, which we had brought with us. From one of our hiding-places we remarked at one time, that a large Japanese vessel, which was sailing along the coast, had cast anchor near to a neighboring village, and we determined to surprise and capture it during the night. By good fortune we passed through the village undiscovered, and were close to the vessel, when suddenly it weighed anchor and sailed away. We gazed after it for a while, and then sorrowfully pursued our way along the shore.
After having ventured into the village for several nights without accomplishing our purpose, we were at last discovered on the morning of the first of May, as we were returning rather late, by a woman who was standing on one of the surrounding heights. She immediately beckoned in every direction to give notice of the discovery she had made. We saw immediately that no time was to be 79 lost, and fled into a ravine that we might hide ourselves among the bushes. Unluckily, before we could reach a place of concealment, we found ourselves surrounded by a crowd of people who raised a loud cry. I and Makarov, my inseparable attendant, took refuge in a thicket, but soon being unable to go farther, we lay down and waited the result of the affair. To our great astonishment, instead of our pursuers being the country people, as we imagined, we perceived several well-armed soldiers, and an officer on horseback.
Our companions were immediately surrounded and forced to surrender, and from our hiding-place we could plainly see how the Japanese bound their hands behind their backs, inquired from them where we were, and led them towards the shore, whilst some of them commenced an active search after us.
“What shall we do now?” asked Makarov, trembling with fear.
“Perhaps,” replied I, “the Japanese will not find us to-day, in which case, as soon as it grows dark, we will steal along the coast, capture a boat, and sail from island to island, until we reach the nearest Russian port.”
Makarov agreed to my proposition, but we did not reflect that every thing necessary for such an undertaking, which we had prepared with so much trouble, had fallen into the hands of the Japanese, with our companions.
Whilst we were yet discussing the possibility of flight, four of our pursuers, two of whom were armed with spears, and the other two with sabres, came directly towards us, searching even nooks and corners, where a dog 80 could hardly hide. I now took in my hand the pole with the chisel fastened to it; but Makarov, with tears in his eyes, begged me not to defend myself, or injure any of the Japanese, for if I did so I would ruin not only us two, but all my companions, whilst by a voluntary surrender, we might all perhaps be saved. These words made such a deep impression on me, that I immediately struck my spear in the ground, and walked out followed by Makarov.
The Japanese were so startled at our sudden appearance, that they stepped backwards a few paces; but when they saw that we were unarmed, they grew bolder, advanced towards us, seized us, bound our hands behind our backs, and led us towards a house which stood on the sea shore. Here we found the rest of our party, who had already been taken. Our captors now treated us to rice-broth, herrings, radishes, tea, and sago. Not the slightest injury did they do us, nor even bestow a single invective on us, either whilst they were taking us to the house, or after we got there. On the contrary, when they remarked that I limped and walked with difficulty, two of them took me by the arms, and assisted me over the hills and dangerous places. After resting here for an hour, they bound our hands, as they had formerly done, and led us along the sea shore under a strong escort, back to Matsmai.