n before,
Matsumai being a more important town than Hakodate. Their prison was
similar to the preceding one, but their food was much better, and after
a time they were released from their cage-like cells and permitted to
dwell together in a large room. They were, as before, frequently
examined, their captors being so inquisitive and asking such trifling
and absurd questions that at times they grew so annoyed as to refuse to
answer. But no display of passion affected the politeness of the
Japanese, whose coolness and courtesy seemed unlimited.

Thus the first winter of their captivity was passed. In the spring they
were given more liberty, being allowed to take walks in the vicinity of
the town. Soon after they were removed from their prison to a dwelling
of three apartments, though they were still closely watched.

This strict confinement, of which they could see no end, at length
became so irksome that the prisoners determined to escape. Their walks
had made them familiar with the character of the surrounding country,
and enabled them also to gain possession of a few tools, with which they
managed to make a tunnel to the outer air. Leaving their cells at night,
they succeeded in reaching the mountains back of the town, whence they
hoped to find some means of escaping by sea.

But in the flight Golownin had hurt his leg severely, the pain being so
great that he was scarcely able to walk. This prevented the fugitives
from getting far from the town, while their wanderings through the
mountains were attended with many difficulties and dangers. After a week
thus spent, they were forced to seek the coast, where they were seen and
recaptured.

The captives were now confined in the common jail of the town, though
they were not treated any more harshly than before, and no ill will was
shown them by the officials. Even the soldier who was most blamed for
their escape treated them with his former kindness. They were soon sent
back to their old prison, where they passed a second winter, receiving
while there visits from a Japanese astronomer and others in search of
information. One old officer, who was very civil to them, at one time
brought them portraits of three richly dressed Japanese ladies, telling
them to keep them, as they might enjoy looking at them when time hung
heavy on their hands.

Meanwhile their countrymen were making earnest efforts to obtain their
release. Some months after their capture the Diana, now under