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 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 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 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.
We remarked that the Japanese had stuck little staves in our
footprints, wherever we had gone during the night, and we learnt from
them that they had never once lost sight of our trail. Indeed, they
had often seen us, and had watched us when we slept or took our frugal
meals. Why they had never seized us, we could not imagine. Perhaps,
with their well known cowardice, they feared lest we might defend
ourselves, and kill some of them. As often as we passed through a
valley, the inhabitants flocked out of their houses to see us, but to
their credit be it said, that we never received from them the
slightest injury nor even a mocking word. They all regarded us with
pity, and some of the women, who gave us food and drink, wept! So much
good feeling was displayed by a people, that we enlightened Europeans
consider rude and inhuman! The leader of our escort, however, was far
less obliging and polite to us than the Japanese officers had formerly
been. Although there was no lack of horses in the neighborhood, we
were obliged to walk, and were no longer carried over streams of
water, but forced to wade through them. When it rained, too, they did
not hold umbrellas over us, but covered us with mats. We soon became
very much fatigued, especially I, for the pain in my leg grew more
violent every moment. During that night, which was unusually dark,
they led us along with the greatest caution. We walked in single file,
and before each of us, as also before the leader of the band, a
lantern was carried. Men, too, with lights in their hands, went
before, and came after the procession. Near steep cliffs, and deep
ravines, a crowd of people, who had been summoned from the neighboring
villages to attend us on our journey back to Matsmai, shook out
bundles of straw, which they carried, and set fire to them, so that it
was as bright as day. Had an European seen our train in the distance,
he would have imagined that we were carrying along the mortal remains
of some distinguished man. On the third of May, we arrived at Matsmai,
and halted before the gates of the town. An imperial officer
immediately made his appearance, and without saying a word began
thoroughly to search us. We remarked to him that he might save himself
the trouble, as he would find nothing on us.
"I know that very well," replied he, coolly, "but the laws of Japan
require it."
As soon as he had performed his duty, the soldiers who accompanied us
put on their city clothing, and with slow and weary steps we took our
way back into the town. The officer who had taken us prisoners, rode a
horse richly caparisoned with silk, and looked round on all sides with
the air of a proud victor, returning laden with the spoils of
conquest, and who, for his heroic deeds, claimed laurels and thanks
from his countrymen. The crowd of spectators was immense, and as it
rained, and they all carried umbrellas, the sight was a strange one.