cies of Japan. The journey, which occupied above a month, was
performed partly in boats, which were dragged along the shore, and
even for miles over the land; and partly on foot, the captives being
marched in file, each led with a cord by a particular conductor, and
having an armed soldier abreast of him. It was evident, however, that
whatever was rigorous in their treatment, was not prompted by personal
feelings of barbarity, but by the stringency of the law, which would
have made the guards answerable for their prisoners with their own
lives. They were always addressed with the greatest respect; and, as
soon as it was deemed safe, their hands, which were in a dreadfully
lacerated state, were unbound, and surgically treated; but not till
their persons had been again most carefully searched, that no piece of
metal might remain about them, lest they might contrive to destroy
themselves. Suicide is, in Japan, the fashionable mode of terminating
a life which cannot be prolonged but in circumstances of dishonour: to
rip up one's own bowels in such a case, wipes away every stain on the
character. The guards of the Russian captives not only used every
precaution against this, but carefully watched over their health and
comfort, carrying them over the shallowest pools and streamlets, lest
their feet should be wet, and assiduously beating off the gnats and
flies, which would have been annoying. At every village, crowds of
both sexes, young and old, turned out to see these unfortunate men;
but there was nothing like insult or mockery in the demeanour of
any--pity appeared to be the universal feeling: many begged permission
from the guards to offer sagi, comfits, fruits, and other delicacies;
and these were presented often with tears of compassion, as well as
gestures of respect.

The prison to which Golownin and his companions were finally committed
had been constructed expressly for their habitation in the town of
Matsmai. It was a quadrangular wooden building, 25 paces long, 15
broad, and 12 feet high. Three sides of it were dead-wall, the fourth
was formed of strong spars. Within this structure were two apartments,
formed likewise of wooden spars, so as to resemble cages: one was
appropriated to the officers, the other to the sailors and Alexei. The
building was surrounded by a high wall or paling, outside of which
were the kitchen, guard-house, &c., enclosed by another paling. This
outer enclosure was patrolled by common sol