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I 



f\uzti-'^x.4./iS 






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b, Google 



BY KIRK MUNROE 



A SOP OF UTSVltA \/ 
BXVTHRBII or TBI COAST 
MnwaiPMAR STDAKT 
IH POtATB WATHW 

wtiH CKOocnr ard bowims/ , 

THKODOS BWAHP AKD OLADS V 
AT WAX WITH PORTUC 
THK WHTTB COnQOKROKB 



CHARLES SCRIBNER'S E^ONS 



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The capital was plainly diKcmible from the mastheads. 

Coog[c 



A SON OF SATSUMA 



WITH PERRY IN JAPAN 



KIRK MUNROE 

AOTHOB or "tbb whitb coifqunoB" ■bbih, "or fh 
WATBU," " miMBiPiUN mrABT," " BBiXHKaH 

OF IBM OOABT," KTC. 



ILLOSTSATXD 



NEW YORK 

CHABLES SCEIBNEE'3 SONS 

1922 



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AL 2.4<^2..^.|3S 



Printed to the Umtcd StMcs ol Amtrica 
PuUbhed Odobct. IWl 



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TO MT READERS 

Fboh the close of the War of 1812 aatil the bfttdo 
of Manila Bay the United States navy was connected 
with but two decisive events in Asiatic waters. One 
was the pmuBhment of Qualla Battoo for its pirati- 
cal attack upon the American merchantman Friend- 
thipt and the other was the negotiating of a treaty 
with Japan by Commodore Ferry. In order to 
bring both of these within the compass of the pres- 
ent story, I have taken a chronological liberty, of 
which I make this note in order that you may not 
become confused regarding historical dates. 

The Friendthip was captured and several of her 
crew were murdered at Qtialla Battoo in 1881; 
while Commodore Perry's ships did not enter the 
bay of Yedo untU 1853. 

Although it is quite commonly supposed that the 
whole policy of the Japanese government was changed 
immediately upon the signing of the Perry treaty, 
this was not the case. The revolution by which the 
Mikado was restored to supreme power, and through 
which Japan entered upon a career of progress un- 
exampled in history, did not occur until fifteen years 
later, or in 1868. The Perry treaty was, however, 
the first impulse toward that memorable uprising ; 



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IT TO HT BBADBBB 

and that this ia fully appreciated in Japan ia ahoirn 
by the fact that on the forty-eighth anniversary of 
Perry'a first landing, the Japanese themaelves un- 
veiled a monument to his memory on tie very spot. 
The sentiment of the nation iras well voiced upon 
tiiat occasion by a native orator, who said : — 

" The visit of Commodore Perry was, in a word, 
the turning of the key which opened the doors of 
the Japanese Empire to friendly intercourse with the 
United States, and, subsequently, to the nations of 
Europe on similar terms, and may in truth be re- 
garded as the most memorable event in our annals." 

To me it is a happy coincidence that the conclud- 
ing chapter of this book was written on that same 
anniversary, July 14, 1901. 

KIRK HUNKOR 



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CONTENTS 



V. 
VI. 

vu. 
vm. 



xn. 

XITT. 
XIV. 
XV. 
XVL 
XVIL 

xvnL 

XIX. 
XX. 



Fabuer Dutton'b BomtD BoT . 

SmSHINE ADD Clodim . . , 

Stolkn Learnhto .... 

In SAI.KH Towx .... 

The Son or a Black Ball Skippeb . 

A Sailob Lad ok a Farh . 

Stic KKBT makes hwbelf "Solid" 

Bob chooses a Cabin . 

A Hatbbed at Sba 

Rated ab Assibtamt Cook . . 

Lbabnikq the Ropes . ■ . 

On thb Northwest Coast . 

A Wait fboh Japan . 

The Otheb Side or thb Wokld 

A Ualat with Grat Etes . 

Seized bt Pirates . . , 

Two Sides or LirE in Souatra. 

In the Pepper Fields . 

A Dash fob Fbkedok ■ • . 

Uncle Sau's Lona Arh 

On Board the Friqatb " Potomac " 



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XXn. Bob pssfobhs a Miraolb . . . .181 

XXUL Adbift wiTHOirr Oabs ISO 

XXIT. In a Japahksb GnARi>-HocSB . . . 19S 

XXV. Thz Pki»c£ ow Satsdma .... 207 

XXTI. A Hbbmit Nation 21S 

XXVn. The Initiation of Bob .... 226 

XXVnL A Tankbb Frigate shows thx Wat . 231 

XXIX. "Bboaosb I ah an Amxbican" . . . 21S 

XXX. COMMODOKE PbBRY 0ARRIB8 BIS FOIHT . 252 

XXXL Bob is lbft behind 2S2 

XXXII. Katto and 0-Kaha-San .... 270 

XXXin. Japan steps into Line 270 

XXXIV. Homeward Bound 268 

XXXV. JoHKNT Raw at tbe Aoadkmt . . . 3B7 



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LIST OP ILLUSTRATIONS 



Bob oAuuaD bkk thkovsr tbs trexr uurr 
"Sat 'KB,' WHWt i 



Hb eua WACM to rAoa mra a wbjm lOS 

Bob snuxo at thb mam** thboat 100 

BaOT ATIBB aBOI TOBB BOLEI Ol IBB BOBX ... 174 



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A SON OF SATSUMA 



FARMER DUTTON's BOUND BOT 

** Such a life ia mmply hateful, and I can't stand 
it atty longer [ " exclaimed Robert Whiting as he 
finished stripping old Sukey and rose from his milk- 
ing-stool. " It's nothing bnt a r^fular treadmill of 
work, withont a lay of hope for anything better in 
any direction, and if I don't cut loose from it pretty 
quick, I never vill, that's all. So Tve just got to 
break away somehow, and the minute I see a chance 
I mean to make the most of it, law or no law." 

Robert Whiting, or " Bob White," as he was called 
by all the boys of his acquaintance, was small for his 
age ; but sturdily built, freckle faced, gray eyed, and 
his head was thatched with a mop of hair that his 
yonthfol comrades insisted was red, though a fond 
mother would have termed it " auburn." But Bob 
did not have any fond mother, or father either for 
that matter, and had not since he could remember. 
He bad been bom on board a Yankee ship bound 
from London to Salem, Massachusetts, and his father 
was an English clergyman, but beyond that notluDg 



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I A SON OF SATSUHA 

was discovered concemiag bis parents. Kor waa it 
known why tfa«7 had decided to emigrate to America, 
since both died of ^p fever before reaching the land 
of their hopes, and tiiey had left no record. Thus 
their infant son was left to the mercies of a world 
that is sometimes spoken of as oold, and oftener as 
cruel. Its attitude toward Bob was that of indiffer- 
ence ; for while he was not abused, neither was he 
particularly cared for or loved. 

The ship on which he was bom, and from which 
his parents had been buried, finally reached port after 
a long, disastrous, and heart-breaking passage. In 
Salem our young orphan was promptly transferred 
to the county almshouse, where he remained until he 
was ten years old. Then he was turned over to 
Farmer Dutton, who lived a few miles out of town, 
and to whom Bob was legally bound for service until 
he should become of age. In return for this service, 
Farmer Dutton agreed to give him board and lodg- 
ing, furnish him with suitable clothing, and grant 
him the privileges of a common school education 
together with the strict religious training of the day, 
which was the earlier half of the last century. 

On the Dutton farm therefore Bob Whiting lived 
from the time he was ten years old until he was 
nearly uxteen. He was lodged in a tiny attic cham- 
ber that was reached by a ladder from the kitchen, and 
ho was bountifully fed on wholesome food. He was 
also ooufortably though unbecomingly clad in made- 



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FABMBB DDTTOirS BOUND BOT K 

over garments, that while never ragged were always 
patched, and he was compelled to toil from earliest 
dawn to latest twilight at tasks coming noder tha 
generd head of " chores." 

Although onr lad had heen truned to work almost 
from infancy, he hated chores, more on acconnt of 
their deadly monotony than anything else. Only on 
Sunday, the stem, cheerless, nncompromising Sab- 
bath of his puritan environment, did he find the few 
that must be accomplished, such as the feedii^ and 
watering of stock, a blessed relief from the bitter inflic- 
tion of the catechism with its awful suggestions, deeply 
hidden meanings, and bewildering phrases. Not only 
was he made to study this during every leisure mo- 
ment of the intolerable day, but he was compelled to 
learn it word by word, and line by line, until the entire 
contents of its yellow covers had been whipped into, 
and thus indelibly impressed upon, his memory. 

Besides himself the only other occupants of the 
faooae were Farmer Dntton and his wife, from both of 
whom every drop of affection and human kindliness 
seemed long since to have been squeezed. Possibly 
they had squandered their scant store of such things 
upon their only son Ezekiel, who had vanished from 
t^e scene before Bob's arrival, and was only known 
to him as " our son now devoted to missionary effort 
in foreign parts." 

The truth was that Zeke Dntton had run away 
from home, and ^pped aboard a schooner chartered 



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4 A SON OF 8ATSUUA 

to cany a company of missionariea to the Sandwich 
Islands, since which time nothing had been heard 
from him. It was to make good the loss of bis 
unpaid labor that Farmer Button had secured the 
equally cb^ap services of a bound boy, which, owing 
to Bob's aptness and desire to win the favor of his 
new master, soon became nearly if not quite as val- 
uable as those of the lamented Ezekiel. Not that 
Farmer Dntton would acknowledge this. No 
indeed I He was not one to spoil a boy by injudi- 
cious praise however funt. Instead, he took fre- 
quent occasion to inform Bob that he was not 
worth his salt, let alone all the other benefits 
showered npon him. He also undertook to stimu- 
late the boy's energies by applications of the rod so 
frequently repeated that finally they ceased to arouse 
any feeling in Bob's breast save that of bitter resent- 
ment. Thus from early spring until late autumn, 
the boy's life was a weary round of hated toil, 
varied only by punishments without which it was 
seldom that a day passed. 

In winter, when farm work was slackened by the 
severity of the weather, there came to him a cer- 
tain amount of happiness, for then he was allowed 
to attend school and gather a few crumbs of the 
world's wisdom for which his sonl longed. Bob 
was a bom student and could read and write before 
he left the abnshouse. Since then he bad so eagerly 
absorbed everything in the dtape of printed knowl- 



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FASUER DUTTON'S BOUND BOT 5 

edge coming within his reach that hefore he was 
sixteen he had leamod whatever the village school- 
master was capable of teaching. At this the boy 
would have been in despair, but for a happy inci- 
dent that occarred just about the time he was 
discovering hie teacher's limitations. 

A new minister had been settled over the com- 
munity, and his only child Hetty, a little girl of 
eleven years, was sent to the village school. Bob 
had never spoken to her untU one day early io 
March, when a snowstorm of unusual severity swept 
over that part of New England. For some hours 
the teacher watched it anxiously. Then he dis- 
missed school and commissioned several of the 
older boys to escort the younger children to their 
homes. In this division of responsibility it fell to 
Bob's lot to guide and protect little Hetty Lee over 
the mile of storm-swept road lying between the 
Bchoolhouse and her home. • 

For a time they had the company of another couple 
whose way lay in the same direction as theirs, and 
the boys walked in front to break a path through 
the growing drifts, while the two children, hand in 
hand, followed close behind them. Then came a 
division of roads that left Bob and his charge to 
pursue tiieir course alone. 

For a short distance the boy, with his head bent 
low to the blast, trudged sturdily forward, leaving 
^e child to follow as before. Then a plaintive cry 



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• A SON OF 8A1SUHA 

of, " Bob I Bob White ! Wait for me I " caused him 
to look around. Hetty, ncable to keep op with him, 
had fallen some yards to the rear and looked aa 
though ready to cry. At this Bob held out his hand, 
and the little girl grasped it gratefully. 

To have a girl, even one so much younger than he, 
clinging -to his hand and depending upon him for 
protection, was a decidedly novel sensation to Bob 
Whiting, though one that he did not find unpleasant. 
At the same time he was glad none of the other 
fellows could see him thus walking hand in hand with 
one of the sex they affected to despise. If tbey ever 
learned of it and should langh at him, he would have 
to give them something else to think of, that was aU. 
And this would not be an onusnal proceeding, ainoe, 
during each term of his brief school career, Bob had 
felt himself called upon to fi^t one or more boys, 
sometimes because they had spoken of him as a 
pauper, and agun on account of slighting references 
to his red head. Nor had he always come off victo- 
rious in these contests, though the resulting conse- 
quences had invariably been the same. On each 
occauon he had been whipped by his schoolmaster 
for fighting, and well thrashed at home for having 
deserved punishment at school. 

In spite of these discouragements Bob had always 
sought to retrieve a defeat by subsequent efforts until 
in the end victory had generally perched on his banner. 
In the present instance, therefore, no fellow Beeii^ him 



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Bob carried her through the next drift. 



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FARHEB DDTTOirtt BOUND BOT 7 

would dare laagh ontright, bat he would be sure to 
tell all the others, and Bob knew that he would become 
an object of general ridioule. As his face flushed at 
the thought, there came a shout from one side. Glanc- 
ing in that direction, his heart sank ; for there was 
"Skippy" Barstow, the very chap from whom he 
so recently parted, making a short cut across lots 
toward them. He evidently had safely disposed of 
his own chai^ and proposed to rejoin Bob. 

For an instant the latter was tempted to drop 
the little hand that clasped his so confidingly and 
resume the {dace " Skippy " had by example pointed 
out as the proper one when circumstances over 
which a boy had no control compelled him to walk 
with a girl. Then the cowardly impulse was indig- 
nantly rejected, and with a tighter hold than ever of 
Hetty's hand, he harried forward at such a pace that 
the liltle girl stumbled and very nearly fell in the 
effort to keep up with him. At this Bob suddenly 
bent down, and lifting her in his strong young arms 
fwrly carried her through the next drift. 

Even as he performed this gallant act he knew, 
without looking back, that " Skippy " was perched on 
the topmost rail of a fenceand taking exact note of his 
every movement. But what did Bob care? Hetty was 
whispering in his ear, " I think you are awful strong, 
Bob White " — and for this meed of praise the lad 
would gladly have repeated the act, even though a hun- 
dred boys were sitting on the fence to note and jeer. 



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CHAPTER 11 

SUN8HINB AKD CLOUDS 

Mbs. Lee was relieved of great anxiety by Hetty's 
safe Tetuin from school under the able protection of 
Robert Whiting, for she had been very uneasy con- 
cerning the child's safety. Her husband bad gone 
early in the day to visit a distant parishioner who 
lay at the point of death, and ever since the break- 
ing of the storm she had watched for his return tbat 
he might go for Hetty. As he did not come, she was 
about to oppose her own feeble strength to the gale 
in an effort to find her little daughter when the 
latter appeared, borne in Bob's arms through the 
last of the fast-piling drifts. 

" Oh, mamma 1 " exoltumed Hetty, as the door 
was Sung open, ** we've had such a time getting 
home, and I never should have got here if it hadn't 
been for Bob White ; but he's the strongest boy you 
ever saw." 

" Come into the house, quick," cried Mrs. Lee. 
" Come right in, Robert. Never mind the snow. It 
was ever so good of you to bring Hetty home. You 
can have no idea bow anxious I have been. You see 
Mr. Lee is away, and there wasn't a soul to send for 
her. I had just about decided to go myself." 



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SUNSHINE AND CLOUDS 9 

"It's lucky you didn't try," replied Bob, whoM 
heart waa beating happily with the anaccustomed 
sensation of being praised. " The snoir'a terrible 
deep already, and drifting worse'n I ever knew. 
Seems like it would take your breath, too, and it 
blinds you so you just have to feel your way along." 

"Yes," chimed in Hetty, "it was bo deep Bob 
had to carry me twice, and if he hadn't been bo 
strong, we wouldn't have got here, ever." 

'* It must be splendid to be strong," sighed 
Mrs. Lee, as she bent over the wood-box to lift 
another stick to the fire. 

"Let me do that," cried Bob, springing forward. 
Then, noting tiiat the box was nearly empty, he added, 
" And if you don't mind, I'll bring in some more." 

"I should be ever so much obliged if you would," 
replied Hetty's mother ; and in another minute Bob 
was happily eng^^d in doing the very chores he so 
hated at home. He fetched wood and water, milked 
the cow, and fed both her and the fowls. It was 
so pleasant to be thanked and made much of for 
rendering these homely services that the boy wished 
there were other tasks he could perform. As there 
did not seem to be any, he was about to bid his new- 
f otmd friends good-by and start for his own cheerless 
home, when a muffled jangle of sleigh bells announced 
the return of the minister. 

"Has Hetty got home ? " he shouted, driving olose 
up to the kitchen door. 



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10 A SON OF SATSCHA 

"Ym," answered Mrs. Lee. "Robert Whiting 
brought her, and he has been helping me splendidly 
ever since." 

*' Good for him I " cried the minister. " I was so 
anxious that I went roand by the sohoolhouse to 
fetch her, only to find it empty and closed. Is this 
Robert Whiting? Well, my boy, we certainly owe 
yon a debt of gratitude. What I unharness the 
horse! Well, if you will, for I must confess to 
being nearly beat out. It is one of the very worst 
storms I ever encountered." 

So Bob took to the stable the faithful old mare, 
who was nearly as exhausted as her master, rubbed 
her dry, provided her with ample food, plenty of 
bedding, and made her in every way as comfortable 
as a horse could be. 

By the time this self-imposed task was completed, 
the short twilight had nearly faded, the storm was 
howling with increasing fury, and as Bob turned 
from the stable door he shivered in anticipation, 
both of the stru^le that must be made to gain the 
Dutton farm, and the chilhng reception that he knew 
only too well would await his late home-coming. 

"I might as well grin and bear it, though," he 
said aloud, as he knotted his worsted tippet tightly 
over his cap and ears, "and the sooner the thing is 
over, the better. I must stop and say good-by, though, 
or they will think I am spending the night in the 
stable. How I wish I had a sister like that I " 



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SDSSHINB A8D CLOUDS II 

Of course *' they " referred to the Lees, and " that " 
meant Hetty, though to his own tiioughts Bob did 
not find it neceBsary to mention uamee. 

He went to the kitchen door and heutotii^Iy 
opened it a few inches. 

" Come in I Come in I " cried a cheery voice s " we 
are waiting supper for you." 

Bob went in to explain that he ought to be start- 
ing for home, but Mr. Lee would not listen to any- 
thing of the kind. 

" Nonsense I " he said ; " I can't allow yon to go 
out in this storm again to-night. It would be as 
much as your life is worth, and I don't care to take 
any such responsibility. Besides, I want to get 
acquainted with you. It isn't every day that I meet 
a boy so full of plnck and also so willing to assume 
the burdens of others. So you might as well make 
up your mind to spend the night with us, and draw 
that chair up to the table. Even if you are not 
hungry, we are." 

But Bob was hungry, and never in his life had a 
supper tasted so good. It was his Erst experience 
as a guest, and also the very first time he had ever 
sat down to a meal seasoned with laughter and 
sprightly conversation. Having decided to stay, he 
promptly dismissed from his mind all nnhappy 
thoughts, and after the slight embarrassment of his 
situation wore off be became one of the gayest mem- 
bers of the little group. 



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IS A BON OF SAT8UHA 

After auppec be and Hetty played games in the 
cosey sitting-room, and when it came time for the 
little girl to go to bed, she kissed her new friend good 
night as natarally as she did her father and mother. 

It was a novel sensation to he kissed; for Bob 
could not remember that such a thing had ever 
happened to him before, and it caused him to blush 
furiously. At the same time it was a very pleasant 
sensation, and that kiss did more to counteract the 
hardening process of the boy's heart than anything 
else that could have happened. 

After Hetty had gone upstairs, Mr. Lee entered 
into conversation with Bob and led him to talk of 
himself until the latter had unburdened to this sym- 
pathetic listener all his troubles, disappointments, and 
hopes. 

*'So yon want to go to college?" remarked Mr. 
Lee, meditatively. 

" Yes, sir, more than I want anything else." 

** And you think you have learned everything the 
Bohoolmaster is capable of teaching?" 

" It seems like it, thot^h he doesn't say so ; but be 
makes me go back over and over my old lessons, and 
won't start me on any new ones. I wanted to take 
up Latin, but he said it would only be a waste of 
time, because as a bound boy I wouldn't ever have a 
chance to go to college." 

"There I disagree with him, for I believe that 
whatever a boy seta his heart on and is willing to 



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SDHSHIHB AND CLOUDS IS 

work for witb all his might be mil finall; acooinplish. 
Also, it would not be a waste of time to prepare for 
college, even though you should neTor get there. 
How would you like to come and study with me for 
an hour every morning? " 

" Oh, Mr. Lee I " cried the boy, his face flushing. 
" I should like it more than I can tell. But wouldn't 
my coming bother you too much ? " 

"My dear lad," replied the minister, gently, "I 
am here to help, so far aa lies in my power, every 
member of this community. I am not at all sure, 
nor can I be until I discover the sort of scholar you 
are, but what one of my chief duties is to prepare 
yon for college. I am, however, convinced that I 
ought to make an effort in that direction." 

" Perhaps Mr. Dutton won't let me come. He 
says I don't earn my salt now." 

" But he permits you to go to school, and surely 
he could not object to the taking of an hour of your 
school time for the advancement of your studies. 
At any rate, if yon think well of the plan, lay . it 
before him and let me know what he has to say." 

Although Bob left the minister's house with earli- 
est daylight, and reached home in plenty of time 
to do up his morning's chores before break&st, his 
efforts did not mitigate the severity of his reception 
at the hands of Farmer Dutton. To begin with, he 
was soundly thrashed for staying out all night, 
before any question was asked as to why he had 



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14 A SON OF SATBUHA 

done so. After administering what lie oonudered 
the amount of punishment called for bj the enor- 
mity of the offence, the angry man demanded : — 

"Where have you been all night, you youn^ 
rascal?" 

"At the minister's," muttered Bob, tullenly. 

" And what kept you there ? " 

"Mr. Lee, himself." 

"A pretty thing for him to be meddling with my 
servants. How came you to be at his house, anyway ? " 

" The school teacher seat me to see the little Lee 
girl safe home." 

" He did, did he ? Took it upon himself to em- 
ploy the time that belongs to me? Well, that 
settles it. I've long thought you'd had enough of 
schooling, and now I know it. Hereafter youll let 
school alone, and spend your whole time here where 
you belong. We'll see if you can't be made to 
partly repay the expense I'm put to in caring for 
you. Until now you haven't earned your salt, as 
I've often said ; but from this time on you'll earn 
it and something more too, or I'll know the reason 
why. For the rest of this day you may sheU corn, 
and see that you don't shirk a minute of your time 
either. Now come in to family prayers," 

So poor Bob's blight but short-lived dream of daily 
study with the minister was ruddy dispelled ; for 
after his reception at home he knew better than even 
to mention such a thii^ to his exacting taskmaster. 



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CHAPTER III 
STOUSS LBABNING 

Not until the following Sunday did Bob find an 
opportunity for meeting the minister and telling him 
of the edict that had oompeUed him to give up all 
thoughts of farther study. 

" It is too bad," said M». Lee, " but perhaps if I 
spoke to Farmer Dutton on the subject — " 

" Oh, no, sir, please don't," interrupted Bob ; ** I am 
sure that would only make matters worse. He hasn't 
taken away my books yet." 

"Do you have to work evenings?" asked the 
minister. 

" No, sir. I must always be through with my chores 
before supper, and after that I can do as I please." 

" Then you might come over and study with me 
two evenings in the week, say Monday and Thursday. 
Surely Brother Dutton could not object to that ! " 

" No, sir," hesitated Bob, *' I shouldn't think he 
could," 

"Well, you find out; and if he doesn't forbid 
your coming, I shall look for you to-morrow evening." 

Although Bob had not acknowledged it, he was so 
certain of being forbidden to continue his studies 
under any condition, that he decided not to mention 



L:,.ri-^:.vGoOg[c 



U A SON OF SATSUHA 

the subject at home. On the following eveniag, 
therefore, he only did up his chores with extra care, 
that no fault might be found with him, and the last 
thing before going in to supper he cautiously raised 
a ladder to his attic window. Almost as soon aa the 
meal waa over he compWned of feeling tired and 
said he guessed he would go upstairs. As no objeo- 
tion was made, he did so, and after walking about his 
room for a minute aa though preparing for bed, he 
carefolly opened the window and slipped down the 
waiting ladder. 

As his cap, tippet, and mittens had been left down- 
stiurs, Boh was foroed to go without them. He had, 
however, taken the precaution to wind a towel about 
his head, turban fashion, and thus arrayed he made 
his way with all speed to the minister's house. He 
received a cordial welcome from its inmates, who did 
not notice that he had come without his cap, for they 
supposed it to be the object he was stuffing into a 
pocket when the door was opened. 

The minister said how glad he was Bob had been 
allowed to come, and almost at the same time Hetty 
shyly expressed her sorrow that he had left school, 
while Mrs. Lee saved him the neoessity of replying 
to either, by urging him to sit near the fire and get 
warm. A few minutes later Hetty went upstairs with 
her mother ; but though she bade Bob good night, 
she did not offer to kiss him, greatly to his disap- 
pointment. This was quickly forgotten, howevei^ 



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STOLEN LEABNINQ IT 

in the interest of bia first Latin lesson, which wu 
begun the moment he and the minister were left 
alone. The stady boor passed only too quickly, and 
then ottr lad, filled with the happiness of a decisive 
step toward the realizing of bis ambition, hastened 
homeward. He found the ladder still in position, 
and had no trouble in regaining bis room without 
discovery. 

This was but the first of many evenings spent in 
the same way, and through them life presented a 
brighter aspect to our lad tlian be had deemed poasi* 
ble. mat only did he have his visits to the parson- 
^e to anticipate, but every moment of time that he 
could spare from his work was spent in preparation 
for them. So few and far between were the moments 
that he could give to study during the day, however, 
that whenever he could obtain a candle he devoted 
to this pursuit hours of the night that should have 
been given to sleep. As a consequence he often 
found it difficult to wake at daybreak, and on 
several occasions Farmer Dutton was obliged to 
visit the boy's room and hustle him out of bed long 
after Bob should have been at work in the bam. 
This happened so often that finally the man's suspi- 
cions were aroused. 

" It ain't natural," he said to his wife, " for a boy 
that goes to bed quick ez supper's over, to want to 
sleep lot^ after light in the morning, and it looks f* 
me ez though something was wxoar " 



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IB A SOX OF SAT60HA 

" Mebbe he's spending his nights somewheres elaa 
bendes under this roof," suggested Mrs. Dutton. 

" Cat's foot, no I Tiun't noways likely. Where'd 
he go, and how*d he go, I'd like to know." 

"I thought I seen something like a Udder leaning 
ag'iD that side of the house t'other night when I was 
up with the toothache ; but when I looked in the 
moming, 'twam't there." 

" Umph ! " growled the farmer. *< If you'd made 
sure, we'd had something to go on ; but if there is 
any ladder business, I'll find it out and then we'll 
see." 

So Farmer Dutton took upon himself the role of 
detectlTe and began to watch his bound boy very 
closely. As a precaution he took charge of all the 
tallow dips in the house, and refused to let Bob have 
one even to go upstairs with. 

" I never had a light to go to bed by when I was a 
boy," he said, "and I can't see ez you need one any 
more'n I did." 

Thus cut off from n^bt study. Bob found great 
difficulty in preparing his lessons. He dared not 
take his books downstairs, for fe»r of being ques- 
tioned. Nor did he dare to remain downstairs even 
on the nights when he was not due at the minister's, 
for to retire aa soon as supper on Mondays and 
Thursdays, while remaining up later on all other 
evenings, would certainly arouse suspicion. So be 
continued to retire as early as possible, and on the 



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BTOLEH LEARmfO 19 

evoningB when he did not go out he would sit by 
his window mentally reviewing declensions, conjngft* 
tions, and such worda of the Latin vocabulary as he 
could recall. Also, to make up for lost study time 
he began to hurry his work, slighting many things, 
and leaving undone whatever could be neglected 
without too great danger of discovery. He also 
carried his exercises into the fields, and pored over 
them whenever he was driving a team. 

Id the meantime. Farmer Dutton laboriously 
climbed to Ihe boy's room several evenings, after 
the latter had retired, to see if he were there, and 
always found him, having fortunately chosen for his 
spying, nights on which Bob had no reason for being 
out. Then, one day, the fanner picked up in a 
furrow that Bob had just ploughed a bit of paper on 
which was written a Latin exercise. The boy had 
been studying it as he followed the plough, and 
thought he had thrust it into a pocket on tiie 
appearance of his taskmaster. 

Although the latter was unable to decipher the 
written words, he smUed grimly as he again dropped 
the paper to the ground, and started after Bob to 
chide him sharply for driving crooked furrows. 
While he had discovered that the writing on that 
paper was in a language of which he had no knowl- 
edge, he suspected it to be in Latin, and at once 
connected it with the minister, who was the only 
person in that community having command of any 



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/M A SON OF SATSUHA 

tongue besides English. At any rate he had foand 
a clew that he meant to follow up. 

After he had gone from the field, and while Bob 
was still tingling from the severe reprimand he had 
just received on account of driving crooked furrows, 
the latter spied his lost exercise and .hastened to 
recover it. 

" I must have dropped it," he said to hims^f, " and 
it is a lucky thing old Cutton didn't see it, or I'd 
have got something worse tiian a tongue lashing. 
If he had found it and even guessed what it was, he'd 
have put an end to my lessons in a jiffy. I've got to 
be more careful." 

That evening after Bob had retired to his attio as 
usual, Farmer Dutton, bidding his wife to keep on 
talking as thoi^h to him, put on his hat and stepped 
softly from the house. He reached the side over- 
looked by Bob's window in time to make out a dark 
form stealthily descend a ladder, and start off on a 
run as though in haste to keep an engagement. 

Noting the direction Bob had taken, and with a 
snort of satisfaction, the farmer started to follow 
him. A little later, as our lad sat with the minister's 
family in the parsonage, there came a heavy step on 
the front porch and a loud knock at the door. 

" Goodness ! " exclfdmed Mrs. Lee, *' there's com- 
pany, and just as I was going to put Hetty to bed. 
Come, daughter, say good n^ht and let's get npsturs 
before they see us." So saying, she left the room. 



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BTOLEN LEABHING SI 

Hetty kisaed her father, as he, takii^ the lamp 
wiUt him, was departing in an oppoaite direction to 
open the front door, and for a minute Bob and Hetty 
were left alone in the fire-lighted sitting-room. 

" Why don't yon kiss me good night ? " asked our 
lad, emboldened by the situation. <* You did onoe." 

"Because mamma said boys didn't like to be 
kissed," answered the little girl. 

" But I do," urged Bob ; "that is, I like to have 
you kiss me, and no one else has ever offered 
to." 

" Then if you'll promise not to let anybody else, I 
will." 

" Of course I promise," agreed the boy, recklessly, 
at the same time bending down to the sweet face up- 
lifted to his. A moment later footsteps and voices 
approached from the front of the house, and Hetty 
ran laughing from the room. Bob watched her dis- 
appear, and then tamed to confront the unsym- 
pathetic gaze of Farmer Dotton fixed relentlessly 
upon him. 

" As I was just saying. Brother Dutton," remarked 
the minister, restoring the lamp to its table as he 
spoke, " I am glad you have stepped over to see how 
finely Bob is prt^ressing with his Latin, for he seems 
to me to be doing remarkably well, and I shouldn't 
be surprised if another year saw him ready for 
college." 

** I should, then," answered the farmer, gruffly -; " I 



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ai A SON OF SATSUHA 

Bhould be greatly surprised if another year saw him 
fitted to be anything except the farm-hand that I 
intend to make of him. And I don't thank you, sir, 
for meddling in my affairs without my knowledge. 
By enticing this boy to leave his home night after 
night without permission you hare lowered the 
dignity of your cloth, sir, to say the least. The law 
has given him to me to bring up b8 I think best, and 
I have a right to be consulted concerning his educa- 
tion. Nor do I intend that his head shall be turned 
by any foolish notion of going to college, as thougb 
he were a gentleman instead of the town pauper he is. 
Kow, sir, you may come with me," concluded the 
irate man, addressing himself to Bob, " and don't you 
ever dare set foot in this house ^ain." 

" But surely, Brother Button, you don't mean to 
say that you have been in ignorance of the fact that 
Bob was coming to me two evenings in every week 
for the purpose of study ? " 

" I do mean to say that very thing." 

" Then, Robert, you have deceived me," said the 
minister sadly to his pupil ; " you gave me to under- 
stand that you had gained your guardian's permission 
to come here for study." 

" I did not mean to do that, sir. You said I might 
come if he did not forbid me, and he did not forbid 
me, for I never asked him. You see I was too 
anxious for ftn education to run the risk of his 
refusing." 



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STOLEN LEABNINO » 

" It vas deceit all the same, my boy, and decep- 
tion of any kind is too high a price to pay even for 
an edncatioD," replied the minister, in a tone that 
poor Bob felt to be much more aevere than the case 
demanded. 



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CHAPTER IV 

IN BALXH TOWN 

Our lad was made so unhappy by the mioister's 
rebuke, and was at the same time so stunned by the 
suddenness of the blow that had shattered his hopes 
of goining an education, that he followed Farmer 
Dutton from the parsonage without a word. He 
did not even bid Mr. Lee good night; and though 
he regretted this afterwards, it was a consolation to 
remember that his last farewell had been exchanged 
with Hetty. He did not care what happened now ; 
and though he of course expected to receive a severe 
thrashing on reaching home, the prospect affected 
him so little that he hardly gave it a second thought. 
He could only repeat over and over to himself : 
" Never go to college. Never know anything. 
Never be anythit^ but a pauper farm-hand. I'd 
rather die right here." 

Bob was not thrashed on this occasion, but 
received instead a punishment of infinitely greater 
severity. Upon reaching home, Farmer Dutton pro- 
cured a light, a hunmer, and some nails, all oE which 
he ordered the boy to carry up to his room, whither 
he followed. There his first move was to nail up 
the vrindow, so that it could not be opened. Then 



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IH 8ALEH TOWN H 

he made Bob collect every book, every scrap of 
writing, and every pencil in the room, and thiov 
them down through the trap-door leading to the 
kitchen. "You'll never see them agun," he said, 
and Bob never did. 

"Hereafter," continued Farmer Dutton, "so long 
as you remain in this house, the only book yon will 
be allowed to read is the Bible. It will furnish you 
a plenty of book learning for the station in life to 
which you are elected. Any other book found in 
your possession I shall destroy. I have carried out 
my part of our contract by providing you wiUi a 
comfortable home, good clothing, plenty of whole- 
some food, a sound religious training, and a common 
school education. Now it remains for you to carry 
out yours by working for me the best you know how 
till you come of f^, and so striving to repay a part 
of the expense I am put to on your account. That 
is what the law demands yon shall do, and I will 
see to it that the law b enforced to the letter. It 
would be of no use for yon to run away, for I could 
have you traced and imprisoned in any part of the 
United States. There is only one more thing, and 
that is from this time on you are not only to refrain 
from visiting the house of the Rev. Mr. Lee, but 
yon will hold no communication with him or any 
member of his family. Do you understand?" 

"Yes, I understand what you say." 

" Yes, tir ! " roared Farmer Dutton. 



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J6 A SON OF SATSUHA 

" Yes, sir," muttered Bob. 

" I ruther guess I have taught that young cub a 
lesson he won't forget in a hurry," said the fanner to 
his wife, after he had returned to the kitchen. 

" I'm glad you have," replied Mrs. Dutton ; *' for if 
ever there was a boy needed a good settin' down, it's 
him. I almost wisht you'd sent him packin' back to 
the place he come from. Boys liko him don*t never 
amount to nothing, and they ain't never anything but 
trials when all's said and done." 

But Farmer Dutton had no idea of letting go bis 
hold on this bound boy, for well he knew Bob's worth 
to him, though nothing could have induced him to 
admit it. He realized Bob's value more than ever 
at daybreak, on the foUowing morning, when, lying 
awake with aching joints, he heard the boy descend 
from his attic chamber, light a fire in the kitchen, 
and go out to the bam. It would have caused the 
stricken man many severe twinges of pain to have done 
those things that morning, as he was well aware. 

AU that day Bob went about his allotted taaks 
lifelessly and with a heavy heart. There was none 
to sympathize with him, nor even for him to talk 
with on any topic ; for Farmer Dutton, who had sat 
silent at the breakfost table, did not leave the house 
that morning, and at noontime Bob found him swathed 
in flannels, sitting beside the kitchen fireplace. His 
adventure of the night before had resulted in wet 
feet and an attack of rheumatism. He was still able 



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m SALEH TOWN 87 

to give his bound boy a number of orders concerning 
the afternoon work, and his voice, sharpened hy pain, 
sounded more rasping and tyrannical than ever. 

So much had been laid on Bob's shoulders during 
the day that it was after dark before he finished his 
chores and, rising wearily from the milking-stool gave 
utterance to the sentiment with which this story 
opens. When, a little later, he walked slowly into 
the house, its master was nowhere to be seen, and 
Mrs. Dutton said his rheumatism had got so bad that 
she had persuaded him to go to bed. This new 
trouble had so softened the stern-featured woman 
that she was almost motherly toward Bob and ad- 
mitted that it was a comfort to hare him around now 
that the head of the house was prostrate. She even 
went so far as to say that she didn't know how she 
could get along without him. 

Farmer Button was, however, as imperious as ever 
when, after supper, he called the boy to where he lay, 
and said : — 

*^ Robert, I want you to sack potatoes to-night and 
take a w^on load of 'em into the city to-morrow 
morning. They are to be delivered on board the 
Friendihip lying at Rust's wharf. You must get a 
receipt for them from the oap'n, and I'll coUect from 
the owners afterward. Then you can go round to 
Doc Conant's and have him put me up a bottle of 
that rheumatiz medicine the same ez he give me 
before. Understand? " 



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» A SON OF SATSUHA 

" Yea, sir, I aDdenitaDd," replied the lad. 

** Soon ez you ^t it, you come home in & harry, 
for I expect to be bad enoagh by that lame to want 
it powerful." 

Bob sacked potatoes that night until so utterly 
worn out that when he finally tumbled into bed he had 
no time to consider the situation before falling asleep. 
He was convinced, however, that his present life was 
too hard and hateful for further endurance, and this 
was his first thought on waking in the morning. 

He did up his chores and loaded the potatoes into 
the wf^on, a task almost beyond his strength, before 
breakfast, inunediately after which he hitched up 
the big grays and drove slowly away over the heavy 
roads toward Salem. On reaching the city a few 
hours later, Bob had no tronble in finding the 
Frie7td$hip, which lay at the end of a pier, deeply 
laden, and evidently nearly ready for a long voy- 
age. 

Although bom at sea, our lad had never boarded 
a ship, nor even been on the water in any kind of 
a craft, since the first eventful voyage of his life. 
In consequence, he was about as ignorant concern- 
ing maritime matters as any young hayseed that 
ever lived. At the same time he was immensely 
interested in the busy scene of which he now formed 
a part, and thought lon^ngly how fine it must be 
to go sailing away into the great world on such a 
craft as the FrientUhip, 



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m 8AI.BH TOWN 9» 

He had am[de time to look at her, for his w^ou 
\na so hemmed in by a jam of carts and trucks, al] 
deliTeriog cargo to the ship, that he oould onl; 
move ahead at intervals a few yards at a time. As 
the gray team started np for one of these forward 
movements, a youth of ahout Bob's age, clad in sailor 
costume and evidently just come from the ship, 
darted from beneath them, calling oat : — 

"Mind your helm. Freckle-face, or youll find 
yourself in trouble." 

" Look out yourself," laughed Bob, good-natnredly. 
"Don't you know any better than to crawl under 
the bellies of a team of horses?" 

" No, I don't," retorted the other. ** How could 
I tell yon were going to get 'em under way? " 

"Well, you'd better not try it f^^un. But say, 
swbere'U I find the captain of that ship ? " 

"Up to the Custom House perhaps, or maybe 
he's gone to Boston. I don't know." 

"Wholl receive these potatoes, then, and give 
me a receipt for 'em?" 

" Mr. Barry's the only officer on board just now." 

" Will I have to go np on top of the ship to find 
him?" 

" 'Specs you will, honey, for I don't believe he'd 
come down here, even if you whistled for him. 
Tou might try, though." 

"Oh, pshaw I" laughed Bob, as he noted the 
quiznoal look on the other's face. " If yon haven't 



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ID A SON OP SATSmCA 

got aoytbiiig better than that to do, you might aa 
well stay here and watch my team while I go and 
hunt Mr. Barry." 

" Certainly," agreed the other -, *' I'd just as soon." 

"All right, get ap here, then, and I'll be baok 
inside of five minutes." 

So Bob, thinking to save time, jumped down from 
hia seat and made for the ship, while the young 
sailor scrambled actively into the place th«s vacated. 

If our lad had been bewildered by the scene on 
the wharf, he was infinitely more so by that pre- 
sented on the ship's deck. Men were running in 
every direction, bales, casks, and boxes were being 
hoisted, lowered, or swung through the air, voices 
were bawling an unintelligible medley of words, 
pigs squealed, fowls squawked, winches clanked, 
and blocks creaked. Finally, in reply to Bob's oft- 
repeated question as to where he should find Mr. 
Barry, some one told him to look in the forecastle, 
and not knowii^ one end of the ship from the other, 
he headed straight for the cabin. There, second 
mate John Barry was so busy looking over a pile 
of invoices, that he listened to what the intruder 
had to say without looking up, and then told him 
he didn't know anything about his potatoes. That 
was an affair for tiie receiving clerk on the wharf. 

So Bob, after an admiring survey of the comfort- 
ably furnished cabin, betook himself ^^in to the 
wharf, where he finally discovered the receiving 



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IN SALEM TOWN 81 

clerk and succeeded in transacting his boBlneaa. 
When the potatoes were unloaded and he was ready 
to drive away, the sailor lad, who had jnst returned 
after being absent for a iew minutes od an errand 
of his own, said : — 

" I'll ride with you a bit if you don't mind, seeing 
as I'm on leave tor the rest of the day." 

" 111 be glad to have yoo," replied Bob, and thug 
it happened that the two new acquiuotances drove 
away together in the direction of the place where 
Farmer Dntton's rheumatism medicine was to be 
procured. To Bob's dismay the doctor was absent 
and might not be back for two hours. 

"Let's drive around town," suggested the sulor 
tad, "till he comes back." 

"All right," agreed Bob. " I don't mind driv- 
ing about for 8 while, but we mosta't go too far, or 
the horses'U get tired. Besides, they've got to be 
fed." 

"Why, so have we," said the sailor, as though 
struck by a happy thought. 

"I've got a lunch of crackers and cheese," inti- 
mated Bob, " and we can eat it while the horses are 
feeding." 

'^Oh, hang such chuck on shore I " exclaimed the 
other. "liet's go to a tavern and have a regular 
tuck-out. I'm primed for the shot, and will be glad 
to stand treat in return for your taking me on this 
Ut of a land cruise." 



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li A SON OF SATSUHA 

Thus it came about that half an hour htter Bob 
sat down, for the first time in his life, to a tavern 
dinner in company of a talkative jonng sailor who 
was 80 moch of a stiaoger that he did not even 
know hie name. 



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CHAPTER V 

THE BOH OF A BI.AGK BALL 8KIPPBB 

John Stioenbt Clabk, generally called by his 
Becond name, vas the only son of Captain Rufua 
Clark, well known to the maritime world and trav- 
elling public aa the popular commander of a Black 
Ball packet ship plying between New York and 
LiverpooL As Mrs. Clark always accompanied her 
husband to sea, and made her home on board what- 
ever vessel he happened to command, it happened 
tiiat their son Stiokney was, like our Bob, born on 
the ocean midway between ports. Here, however, 
the coincidence of their lives ended, for Stickney's 
parents were still living, and he, having been brought 
Dp at sea, knew little more of the laud and its ways 
than a young porpoise. 

Of country life he was absolutely ignorant so far 
as experience went ; for though he had been ashore 
in half the seaports of the world, his explorations 
had rarely extended beyond their corporate limits. 
Thus all his knowledge of the country had been 
acquired from such glimpses of rural scenery as he 
had caught while sailing in and out of harbors or 
up and down the estuaries of tidal rivers. To the 
ocean-born boy these fleeting visions of green fields, 



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H A SON OF SATSUHA 

shadowy voodlands, aad nestling farmhouses had 
been as scenes from a fairyland that he longed to 
explore. He imt^ined that persons fortunate enough 
to dwell amid such surroundings must be the happiest 
in the world, and this belief was strengthened by the 
homesick tales of such runaway farmer lads as he 
had met on shipboard. 

Sticbney had been given a fair education by his 
mother, and had been compelled to serve before the 
mast by his father, until at sixteen he was an A No. 1 
sailor. He was also familiar with the principles of 
navigation, though he had never taken kindly to 
serious study. Nor did he display the ambition to 
rise in the profession chosen for him that his father 
was anxious to observe. Finally, Captain Clark de- 
cided that his son would do better in some ship other 
than his own, and, in casting about for a skipper to 
whom he could intrust the boy, he heard that his 
old friend and shipmate Endicott was in port, load- 
ing the Friendthip for a voyage around the 'world. 
Upon this he wrote to Captain Endicott, and be- 
sought him for the sake of old times to give Stickney 
a berth and make a man of him. 

To this letter Captain Endicott replied that he 
should be only too happy to have a son of Rufus 
Clark form one of his ship's company. " I shall put 
him forward to begin with," he wrote ; " but if he 
proves half as good a seaman as you say, I shall 
fetch him ait as third mate before we are off sound- 



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THE SON OF A BLACK BALL 8K1PFBB » 

inga. Anyhow, send him along, and he shall have as 
good a chance as it he were my own son." 

Thus it happened that ^^tickney Clark, ooming on 
from Mew York in a coasting schooner, reached 
Salem on the very morning that saw Bob Whitang 
driving into the same town with a load of potatoes. 
Stickney went aboard the Fnendtkip, and finding 
that the captain was on shore, had tossed his dnn- 
nage into a forecastle bank, and decided to go in 
search of him. During the few minutes that he 
remained on board he did not make himself known 
to any one, and he had just left the ship for a visit 
to the owner's office when he encountered Bob Whit- 
ing with his load of potatoes. After holding the 
horses until Bob's return from the ship, Stickney ran 
up to the office, where, not finding Captain Endioott, 
he left bis note of introduction, and harried back, 
determined to have a run ashore in company with 
his new acquaintance. 

When the two lads thus accidentally thrown into 
companionship had agreed to dine together, secured 
a table in the tavern dining-room, and ordered their 
meal, they naturally fell into a conversation that 
began with an exchange of names. Then each told 
the ot^er how he happened to be in Salem that day. 

" My ! " exclaimed Bob, " it must be fine to be a 
sfulor and go from one part of the world to another, 
seeii^ new places and people, and -— " 

"It isn't half so fine as this dinner," interrupted 



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W A SON OF SAT8UHA 

Stickney, who was already busily eating. "So far 
as I am coQoemed I woald rather lay in one square 
meal like this than to sail the five oceans." 

" This ? " queried Bob, scornfully ; " why, this isn't 
anything extra. It isn't one bit better l^n what 
we have out at the farm every day in the week." 

"Every day in the week ! " cried Stiokney, sus- 
pending operations to stare in amazement at his 
companion. "Do yon mean to say that yon idways 
sit down to fresh meat, half a dozen kinds of vege- 
tables, soft bread with butter, pickles, coffee with 
oream in it, a pitcher of milk, and pie f " 

" Of course we do," replied Bob ; " only sometimes 
it's ohickm or fish instead of meat, and paddii^ 
instead of pie ; hut we always have as much as this, 
and plenty of other things beudes." 

" Suoh as what ? " 

"Oh, waffles or griddle cakes with maple syrup, 
and eggs, and sausages, and berries, and donghnuts, 
and — " 

" Stow it 1 " intermpted Stickney, " I don't want 
to hear any more. It just makes me hate to think 
of the chuck I've eaten all my life. Bnt what 
makes them feed you like that 7 " 

"Why, that's the way all the folks live where I 
come from. I suppose we are obliged to eat a good 
many different things, and plenty of 'em, to give us 
itarragth for the hard work we have to do." 

•* Are you at work to-day ? " 



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tBB SON OF A BLACK BALL SKIpraB ST 

** Tes ; why not 7 Bringing a load of potatoes into 
town is no easy job, I can tell you." 

"It looks to me as though the horses brought 'em 
in," remarked Stickney. " But what other kinds of 
hard work do yon have to do ? " 

'* Well, ploughing, for instance," replied Bob, men- 
tioning one of the tasks he most disliked. 

" What makes that so hard ? Do you have to pull 
the plough ? " 

"Of course not. Horses pull the plough, but I 
have to hang on to the handles and follow it." 

" Umph," sniffed Stickney, " sounds like suling a 
dingey-wallah, where it doesn't make any differ- 
ence whether you're asleep or awake. Bat what 
other kinds of hard work do you have to do ? " 

"Oh, chores such as milking, feeding the stock, 
ridii^ to water, splitting wood, hunting eggs, weed- 
ing the garden, and all sorts of things." 

"Sounds like a picnic," murmured the sailor lad. 
" And you say you always get three bai^-up meals 
like this every day ? " 

" Certainly we do." 

" Do you have to stand n^ht watches ? " 

"How's that?" 

" I mean, what do you do at night ? " 

"Gk> to sleep, of course. Nobody works after 
dark." 

" Oh, don't they ? How about storms ? I suppose 
you have to do double duty on deck while they last." 



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M A SON OF BAT8DHA 

" If yoD mean work outside on atormy dayst not 
much ; but there's always com to husk, or lumew 
to mend, or aomething like that to be done." 

" Bat yon work where it is warm imd dry, d(m*t 
you?" 

" Oertunly. You didn't suppose we'd stay out in 
the wet, did yon ? " 

" Oh, I didn't know. Some folks have to. Sulors, 
for instance. But tell me, are there any other boys 
where yon live ? " 

" Yes, plenty of 'em. Not in the same house, but 
OD all the other farms." 

" And girls ? " asked Stickney, hesitatingly. 

" Oh, yes," answered Bob, with a viwon of Hetty 
flitting across his mind. 

" Do the boys ever speak to them ? " 

" I should say they did, whenever they meet 'em, 
and they keep meeting them all the time too." 

"I wonder what I should say?" meditated the 
sailor lad. " Do you know, I hardly ever spoke to a 
girl in all my life ? That is, a white girl, I mean. 
Of course I've chinned with brown and black and 
yellow girls in the Sandwich Islands, the West In- 
dies, China, and such out-of-the-way places, but they 
don't count." 

"And I never even saw any but white girls," sud 
Bob, regretfully. " The other kinds must be awfully 
interesting." 

"Oh, I don't know. You see as they generally 



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THB BON OF A BLACK BALI. SRIPPEB M 

can't understand what you say to them, any mors 
than you can what they say to you, it isn't so very 
muoh fun to talk with 'em. If they even talked 
pidgin it would be some help, but only the mea 
learn that." 

" What's pidgin 7 " asked Bob, who had never be- 
fore heard the word. 

"Trade talk," answered Stickney, a little con- 
temptooos of an ignorance that had never heard of 
pidgin. "It's made up of a dozen languages and 
English baby talk, all mixed tt^ether like lobsconse." 

"I should think it would be the hardest kind to 
learn," 

"No, it's easy enough when you once get the hang 
of it." 

" Did you ever see a whale or a shark ? *' asked 
Bob, feeling that he must make the most of this 
opportunity for acquiring useful information. 

"Of course," replied the other, scornfully; "hun- 
dreds of botii of them, and I've seen sea-cows, which 
are mach rarer." 

" Sea-cows ? " repeated Bob, incredulously. " I 
didn't know there were cows in the sea." 

"Well, tiiere ate, then, and not only aea-cows, but 
sea-horses, and sea-lions, and sea-bears, and almost 
every other kind of a beast, just the same as you 
have land-sharks and — " 

" I never heard of them," interrupted Bob. " What 
do yoQ mean by a land-shark? " 



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40 A SON OP 8AT8UHA. 

" Why, he's a kind of a land pirate who livw in 

port and skins sailors." 

" That's another thing," exclaimed Bob, abruptly 
dropping the question of sharks. " Did you ever 
meet a pirate ? " 

"Yes, I've met 'em in China, only their heads had 
been out off, and I've seen hundreds of *em among 
the pepper islands, where every man jack of the 
natives is a pirate whenever he gets a chance." 

" Where are the pepper islands ? " inquired Bob, 
at the same time casting a glance at the cruet-stand 
in the middle of the table. 

" Why, in the South Seas, — Sumatra, Borneo, the 
Celebes, and all such Malay places." 

** Have you been 'way off there? " a^ed Bob, in an 
awestricken tone. 

" Yes, and expect to go i^fain, for that's where the 
IHendihip is bound." 

" Have you been to China ? " 

"Yes, twice," 

"And Japan?" 

" Oh, no ; white men never go there." 

« Why not ? " 

" Because all Japanese ports are closed to foreign 
ers. Why, the Japs are worse than pirates, and kih 
everybody who has the hard luck to be wrecked on 
their coasts. China used to be the same way, yon 
know, only England made them open up some of 
their ports a few years a^o," 



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THE SON OF A. BLACK BALL 8KIPFBB O. 

" Wh^ doesn't she open Japan too ? " 

**I don't know. Perhaps she will some daj, or 
perhaps we will. It would be a great place for 
American whalers to make a harbor new and then." 

** How I should love to be t^ere when it happens," 
cried Bob, his eyes shining with enthusiasm. "And 
to think that perhaps yon will go within sight of 
those coasts on this very voy^e 1 Why, Stiokney, 
I'd rather be a sailor with the chance you've got than 
anything else in all the world." 

" While I was just thinking," replied the other, 
** what a fine life a fanner's must be, and how I'd 
like to change places with yon." 

At this startling suggestion Bob gazed at his com< 
panion for a full half minnte withont speaking. 



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CHAPTER VI 
A 8AIL0B I.AO OK A FABH 

** Ybb," aaid Stickney, finftll^ breaking the 8il«nce 
daring which both lads had been rapidly considering, 
the situation. *' I'm game to do it if you are." 

"What? " aaked Bob, who, while he believed he 
knew, wanted an assurance in words. 

"The thing you are thinking ot." 

*' I was wondering if it would be possible for tu to 
change places." 

" Yes, I know, and I don't see why not. You take 
a voyage on the ^riendthip in my place, and I try 
farming in youra until your return. Then, if we 
want to change back, we can. It's all simple enough." 

"I'm not so anre of that," objected Bob; "you'd 
have an awful time with old man Dutton." 

"No worse than you'd have with old man Endicott, 
and I'm willing to risk it if you are." 

" Besides, you don't know anything about farm 
work." 

" I expect I know as much and posnbly more about 
it than you do of sailoring." 

" Perhaps you do," admitted Bob. " Anyway, old 
Button's got to have some one to help about the place, 
especially now that he's laid up with rheumatism. So 



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A SAILOB LAD ON A FABH 4S 

be cooldn't tum you off before you'd had a chance to 
riiow what you were ^od for." 

" No more could Cap'n Endicott get rid of you if 
you only nuinaged to lie low until the ship was well 
outside, and had dropped her pilot. You'd be in for 
the whole voyage then, sure enough, and I believe 
it's a year's cruise around the world." 

Bob's heart beat fast and his eyes sparkled. " 111 
do it if you will," he said. 

"Of course I will. I meant it from the very 
beginning. So shake hands and we'll call it a go." 

An earnest discussion as to ways and means fol- 
lowed the agreement thus impulsively made, and it 
was finally decided that Stickney should start at 
once for the Button farm, toward which Bob would 
also ride a short distance so as to put him on the 
right road. 

"After that," said Bob, "the horses will go 
straight home without stopping until they reach the 
bam door. Then all you've got to do is unhitch *eni, 
let 'em walk inside, and they'll go to their own stalls, 
quick as you've stripped off their harness. By that 
time it's more than likely Mrs. Dutton will be out 
after the old man's medicine, which, by the way, we 
must go and get right off. Of course youll know 
what is best to do then ; but if I were in your place, 
I think I'd manage to stay out in the bam till 



Settling for their dinner and leaving the tavern, the 



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44 A BON OP 8ATSUMA 

boys first went to Dr. Conaat's, where thej obtaiaed 
the reijuired medicine, and then they drove to the 
outskirts of the town, where Bob proposed to bid his 
fellow-conspirator farewell. 

** Before you let ^" s^d the latter, " I wish you'd 
show me how to cast loose the running rigging and 
strip ship." 

*' How ? " asked Bob, in a puzzled tone. *■ Oh, yon 
mean how to unhitch, and get the harness off. That's 
easy enough. Look." 

With this the young farmer deftly performed the 
various operations in question, while the sailor lad 
watched closely his every movement. 

" I may be able to fetch it," he said, with a sigh, 
" but it looks dubious. I wonder if you'll find learn- 
ing the fife-rail half as bard. Anyway, I've got a 
knife and can always cut away if things get too 
complicated." 

Before separating, the tads exchanged clothing, and 
each transferred to the other all rights and title in 
whatever property he was leaving behind. 

" I think you'd best make a sneak on board soon 
after dark, say about one bell," advised Stiokney, 
** and turn into the first forecastle bunk you find 
empty. Then lie low and make believe be sick, or 
drunk, or anything you like, just as long as you can. 
You've got to do it at any rate till all chance of 
communication with shore is cut off. As soon as it 
grows light, though, or the first chance you gdt, you 



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A SAILOR LAD OH A FARU W 

iraat to hunt round and find joy dunnage, which, of 
oooiBe, will be yours from that time on. You can't 
miss it, for it's in a new canvas bag with my name 
on in black letters. It's a pretty good outfit, if I 
do say 80." 

** I'm afraid you won't think mine is," remarked 
Bob, "but you are welcome to anything you can 
make use of. I've got a colt, l^ough, all my own, 
that you can have. She's a yearling sorrel with a 
white star, and her name is * Hetty,' only no one 
knows it but she and I. You'll find her running 
with the other colta, but shell oome if you call her 
by name. You must be sure and have something 
sweet for her, though, or else she won't ever trust 
you again. Now it's pretty near sundown and you 
ought to be off. So, good by." 

" Good by, Bob. Luck go with you. Be sure 
and keep on the right side of the doctor, and don't 
fail to get on board about the end of the second 
dog watch. Good by I Cast loose 1 Start sheets, 
and oft we go." 

Robert Whiting, with mixed feelings of triumph 
and homesickness, joy and anxiety, watched the re- 
treating shape of the heavy farm w^fon until it 
was tost amid the shadows of the setting sun. Then 
he tnmed and walked slowly back into the city. 

A few hours later, Stickney Clark was aroused 
from a light slumber, into which he had been lulled 
by the alow jolting of tiie wagon and the monoto- 



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M A SON OF SATSnUA 

nous hoof-beats of the unguided horses, by the 
sudden intemiptioD of both. He had barely opened 
his eyes when he was startled by a shrill voice close 
at hand, exclaiming : — 

"So yon got back at last, you loiterii^ young 
good-for-nothing I A pretty time of night, isn't it, 
when you ought to have been here a good hour 
before sundown ? And your poor master tormented 
with pain till he's like to die, all for want of the 
medicine you was sent to fetch. Where is it? 
Hand it out here, and the receipt for the potatoes 
that's been a-worrying him as much as anytiuDg 
else. Then you may stay in the bam or where you 
like, for all I care, since into the house you don't 
come this night. Oh, you'll be a sorry lad before 
Mr. Duttou gets through with you I " 

With this the voice ceased, and Mrs. Datton, 
taking with her the things Stickney had mechanic 
cally placed in her hand, disappeared in the darkness. 
She had been watching and waiting for hours in 
a &.Ag0t of anxiety, until her vigil was ended by 
sounds of the home-coming wagon. As the lad on 
the covered seat had not spoken, she did not for a 
moment suspect him to be other than the bound boy 
whose place he had assumed, and so his secret was 
safe for the present. 

He managed to unhitch the horses and then to 
open the barn door, whereupon, with jingling har- 
ness, which to save him he could not remember how 



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A SAILOR UlD ON A FARU tf 

to remove, they basteoed inside. For a moment 
Sticbnej hesitated. He knew vaguely that much 
more ought to be done, but had no idea of how to set 
about it in utter darkness, and amid totally strange 
Burrouoduigs. Finally he gave it up, secured the 
horses wliere they were by shutting the bam door, 
and regaining the hooded wagon seat, composed him- 
self to sleep as comfortably as though in a forecastle 
bunk of his father's ship. 

When next the sailor lad was awakened, it was 
by such a babel of sounds that for a moment be 
imagined the ship to be in some dire peril, with all 
hands smnmoned on deck. Rolling o£f the wagon 
seat, he rubbed his eyes and looked about him. The 
sun was just rising, and from all sides came the 
vociferous complainings of hungry animals. Pigs 
were squealing, cattle lowing, sheep bleating, geese 
squawking, and roosters crowing. From inside the 
bam came a tremendous banging and thumping that 
sounded as though the building itself were being 
demolished. Cautiously opening the door, Stiokney 
glanced inside. 

One horse was down on the floor, tangled in big 
harness, and making furious efforts to r^;ain big 
feet. The other was sympathetically kicking with 
such energy f^inst a stout half door on the oppo- 
site side of the barn that it was already sagging from 
hinge and fastening. Stickney left the front door 
(^n as be entered, and as soon as the kicker discor- 



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« A SON OF BAT6UMA 

ered this lie bolted through it toward the freedom 
thus offered. But the Ud had no time to follow, 
since it was evident that his whole attention must 
be devoted to the stru^ling animal left behind. 

The floor was tittered with wreckage of eveiy 
description, — farm implements, tools, cans, buckets, 
and a score of other things that the hungry horses 
had thrown down daring their nocturnal search for 
food. From the rafSe Stickney picked up a rope, 
made a running bowline, and deftly cast it over a 
hoof that was thrashing the air like an erratic piston. 
Another was canght in the bight, and then the two 
were drawn immovably together. A third leg was 
helplessly entangled in the harness, while the fourth 
was 80 doubled under the prostrate animal that it 
coold not be moved. With afFairs in this satisfoc- 
tory shape, Stiokney, aided by his ever-ready sheal^ 
knife, proceeded to clear away the tangle of harness 
and rope. 

So dexteroaa were his movements that within 
half a minute the horse had regained his feet. As 
he did so, Sticbney slipped another bit of rope over 
his head, and was about to make him fast, when 
with a squealing rush a score of hogs poured through 
the shattered rear door, scampered across the bam 
floor, and out at the front. The terrified horse 
broke from Stickney's hold, and also tore out of the 
bam, with the lad in hot pursuit. To crown all, one 
of the escaping swine, in struggling under a gate. 



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A 8AIL0B LAD ON A TABH « 

Jifted it from its hinges, and in another moment a 
dozen panic-Bteiokeo cows, thus saddenlj liherated, 
poured from their enclosure to join in the nuid 
rampage of animals. 

As Stiokney raced past the farrahoose with a 
vague hope of heading them off, he caught sight of 
a woman hrattdishing a saaoepan, and a man with a 
nightcap on his head running excitedly out of the 
back door, but he did not stop to introduce himself. 
He would not have paused just then to shake bands 
with a President ; for he felt that his whole future 
as a farmer depended upon brining back these nm- 
away animals. So he sped on, intent only upon that 
one thing. 

It was a day long to he recalled in the annals of 
that quiet countryside ; for not only did Stickney's 
chase involve, before it was ended, nearly every man 
and boy of the community, but half the four-footed 
animals as well. First the dogs began to join him, 
then boys riding horses to water, and sturdy young 
ploughmen on their way to the fields. As the pursuit 
swept past farmhouses, their inmates sprang from 
newly set breakfast tables to join in the ever-grow> 
ing tumnlt. Then other horses began to run away, 
while ineek-looking cattle moving leisurely toward 
field or pasture would suddenly lower their heads, 
uplift their tails, and, with loud bellowings, join in 
the mad race. 

AU day the excitement lasted, while the chase, 



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60 A SON OF SATSnHA 

ever reoeivnig fresh accession of both pursuers and 
puraued, swept on, through highway, cross-road, aod 
laae, until finally, as the evening shadows were 
i^^D gathering, Stlckney Clark rode proudly back 
to the DuttoQ homestead on one of the wearied 
gray horses, leading the other, and driving before 
him a bunch of spiritless and exhausted cows. With 
him rode an admiring group of boys whom he bad 
picked up during the exciting day, and won by his 
natural leadership to a loyal devotion. 

" Wall, I'll be ji^ered I " exclaimed Farmer Dut- 
toa as, with bis rbeomatism completely forgotten, 
and a whip in his band, he strode wrathfully forth 
to meet his delinquent bound boy, only to come face 
to face with Stiokney, dressed in Bob Whiting's 
clothes. 



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CHAPTER VII 

STICKirET HAKES HIHSBLF " SOLID ** 

" Who be you ? " demanded Farmer DattoQ. 
"What do yoa mean by racing my stock all over 
the country? Wbere'd yoa get them clothes? 
What's yonr name, anyway ? " 

"Yes," added Mrs. Dutton, who had followed 
her husband into the yard, "and where'a Bob 
Whiting? What have yon done with him?" 

"I haven't done a thing with him, or to him, 
I assure you, madam," answered Stickney, politely. 
**But I have every reason to believe that he has 
departed from the happy life he led here, let ns hope 
for a better one." 

" For the land's sake I You don't mean he's 
dead I " cried the woman. 

" Madam, I didn't say so, and I am by no means 
certain that he is dead," replied Stickney, gravely ; 
"bat, believing that he would have no further use 
for these clothes, he bequeathed them to me. So 
I am now wearing them in memory of our friend- 
ship. Bat excuse me, madam, if I make bold to 
say that your son Zeke is the living image of his 
mother." 

"Ezekiell My son, Ezekiel Dutton I Where 



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B A SON OF 8AT8UUA 

> he, and what do you know about bim ? " cried tha 
old man, in a etate of high excitement. " Speak 
quick, boy, before I make ye," he added, taking a 
forward step and raising his whip threateningly. 

"Cap'n," remarked Stickney, calmly, "I should 
hate to have our acquaintance begin with hard 
feelings. Neither should I wish to disappoint your 
very natural desire for information concerning your 
son. But if you do not inunediateiy lower that cat 
and assume a less warlike attitude, I shall be com- 
pelled to go away, carrying with me whatever 
knowled^ I may possess of both your son and the 
young man who recently acted as your assistant in 
the mauE^ment of this estate." 

Thoroughly bewildered by this flow of words, 
Fanner Datton mechanically dropped his whip, 
whereupon Stickney continued : — 

"I am glad to see, sir, that you are not as un- 
reasonable as some people claim you to be, and that 
you still retain some sense of what is fitting in your 
intercourse with a gentleman." 

" Tell me about Zeke," growled the old man. 

"Not now or here. Farmer Dutton," answered 
Stickney, soothingly ; " this is neither the time nor 
the place for prolonged conversation. These poor, 
tired animals have a claim to our consideration, 
and besides, I myself am too hungry to talk. So 
let us first listen to the call of humanity iuid then 
have tupper, after which whatever information I 



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8TICKNET HAKES HIlfiSBLF "SOLID" IS 

may possess regarding certain persons shall be at 
your disposal." 

" Give in jest this once, father," whispered Mrs. 
Dutton, laying a restraining hand on her hushand*s 
arm. " Get all his news ont of him as easy as you 
can, and after that deal with the young rascal as 
he deserves." 

For a wonder Fanner Dutton accepted this sen- 
(dble advice, and swallowing hard as he went, turned 
away to attend to his cattle. Upon this, Stickney, 
waving a hand to his followers, who had listened 
with open-mouthed curiosity to all that had passed 
between him and the farmer, said : — 

" Good night, fellows ; I am very much obliged 
for your help and am pleased to have made your 
acquaintance. Come and see me here whenever 
you can. You will always be welcome. Good 
night." 

" The brass ! " murmured Mrs. Dutton. " Come 
and see him here, indeed. They'll never see him 
here again, not if I can help it." 

So saying, the irate woman turned into the house, 
while Stickney followed Farmer Dutton to help him 
with the stock. Althongh he did not speak to the 
old man, he watched his movements so closely that 
when the tasks of housing, watering, and feeding 
were completed, he felt that he could repeat them 
without a mistake. He also took note of the wood- 
pile ; and when, a little later, he followed the silent 



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H A SON OF 8AT8VHA. 

farmer into the house, he cast auch a sesrchin^ly 
comprehenaive glance about the kitchen, that he had 
located nearly every object in it, before the trio sat 
down to their waiting supper. Eating with a keen 
appetite, but at the same time with a discriminating 
taste, Stickney realized that Bob had not spoken 
too highly of the food set forth by Mistress Button. 

Both the farmer and bis wife finished their supper 
long before be felt that he had made up for the 
lost opportunities of the day, and they watched his 
efforts to do this with a grim silence that would 
have proved disconcerting to a less self-possessed 
young man. But Stickney only smiled contentedly 
at them, and even disposed of one more piece of pie 
than he felt was quite necessary, just to make certain 
of having enough. 

When it was at last evident that he could eat no 
more, Fanner Dutton pushed his chair back from the 
table and broke silence by saying : — 

" Well, young man, with your hunger finally satis- 
fied, perhaps your tongue is sufficiently loosened to 
answer the questions I asked you a while back. To 
begin witli, what's your name ? " 

"That was the last of your questions, sir," protested 
the lad. 

"No matter. Answer it." 

" Very good, sir. It is John Stickney." 

" Well, John Stickney, where'd you oome from ? ** 

"New York, sir." 



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BTICKNBT HAKES BIHSELF "SOLID" 6B 

" And what are you doing here ? " 

"Working for you, sir." 

" Oh, you be ? Suppose you think you have beeo 
working for me all day, eh ? " 

" Yes, sir. Only I hope all your work won't be so 
hard as the sample I have tried." 

"What in tbunderation did you go racing my 
stock all OTer the country for, an3rway?" 

"Trying to catch 'em, sir, and bring 'em back. 
Didn't know as you'd care to have them wandering 
so far from home, especially at night.'* 

" Umph I Where'd you get Robert Whiting's 
clothes? " 

" He gave them to me, sir, in exchange for mine." 

"What I" 

" Yes, sir. You see we both thought mine would 
suit him better on shipboard, while — " 

" Shipboard 1 " echoed Mrs. Dutton. " Do you 
mean to say that ungrateful young wretch has run 
away to sea? " 

" Oh, no, madam. Nothing of the kind. He never 
for a moment thought of running away. We merely 
ezohai^d berths — that's all. He has taken mine 
aboard the Ih^endahipt while I have taken his 
here." 

" The mischief you have I " ejaculated Farmer 
Duttoo. " And how'd you know I'd consent to the 
exohange? " 

" We didn't think yon could help yourself, sir." 



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n A SON OF 8ATSUHA 

« Why ? Has the Friendthip sailed ? " 

*' I hope so, sir. She was to have dropped down 
with the tide last night." 

" And what's to hinder me from kicking yoa oat 
of my house this minute, and bidding^ you never to 
come near it again ? '* 

"Several things, sir. Since Bob has decided to 
take up with another trade and has gone beyond 
your reach, it is necessary that you have some one 
in his place, and here I am ready to step right into 
his shoes ; that is, if they fit." 

" A nice lot of help you'd be," growled the &nner; 
" especially if this day's work is a fair sample of 
what you can do." 

" Yes, sir. Thank you," replied Stickney, as 
though he had been complimented. "I believe I 
shall make a first-class farmer in a very short time, 
for I have always been considered handy at picking 
up new tricks. There is, however, still another 
reason why you should keep me. If you shoold 
not, I might tell elsewhere what I know about your 
son." 

" What do you know about him ? " asked the 
fanner, sharply. " Nothing bat what is good, I'll 
warrant." 

" I know that he is or was a South Sea pirate," 
replied Stickney, slowly. 

"That's a lie," thundered Farmer Dattou; "my 
•on Bzekiel is engf^ed in misaioDary work." 



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SnCENET HAKES HIU8KLF "SOLID" VT 

" I heard th&t his craft was a mtBsioDary scboooer 
before he headed the coDspiraoy that captured her. 
Then he became EI Pavura the pirate, and when I 
saw him he was about to be tried for his life in 
Macao. One of my shipmates told me bis real name 
which I have remembered because it was snch a 
funny one — sounds like * button,' you know ; so when 
Bob Whiting mentioned that your name was Dutton 
I asked him if you had a son. He said yes and that 
hia name was Ezekiel, only you didn't know where he 
was, because he ran away to sea and shipped on a mis- 
sionary schooner some years ago. Then, of course, 
I put two and two tc^ther, and when I caught sight 
of the Madam here I knew I was right, for El Pavura 
is a good-looking scoundrel and the living image of 
his mother." 

" But you said he was on trial for his life," gasped 
(he woman, whose face had gone deathly pale, and 
whose voice was but little more than a hoarse 
whisper. 

" Oh, no, madam, I said he was about to be tried, 
but the trial never came ofif, for he got away. How 
he managed was never made public, but it is supposed 
that he bribed his jailers with a fortune, for he had 
plenty of money. Anyhow, he got safe off and hasn't 
been caught again since, that I know of." 

" Thank God I " ejaculated Mrs. Dutton, with the 
color returning to her face. "And you say he 
wa« locking well ? " 



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W A SON OF SATSUHA 

" Fioe, and dressed like a prince, till yon couldn't 
hardly bear to look at him for the flash of bis jewels 
and gold chains." 

*' Father," said Mrs. Dutton, " I guess ve'll let 
this young man have Zeke's room. It'll be a heap 
handier for me to do up than the other one." 

" Umph ! " growled Farmer Ontton ; " I suppose 
he'U have to stay ez long ez the notion suites him. 
Itll be a heap of trouble breaking him in to the work, 
though." 

** Yes, sir, I know it will," remarked Stickney, " and 
for that reason I didn't mean to ask any wages for 
the first week or so, until I got the hang of things, 
you understand." 

*' Wages t " shouted the fanner. " Who said any- 
thing about w^^ ? What wages did you expect to 
get outside of your keep and clothing ? " 

** About ten a month to begin with," replied Stick- 
ney, coolly. "That's what I've been getting for 
some time at sea, and it is little enough to keep me 
decently dressed." 

"But we ^ree to furnish clothes," said Mrs. 
Dutton. 

" Such as these I have on ? " asked Stickney, 
indicating the patched and ill-fitting garments that 
had recently belonged to Bob Whiting. 

" Yes," replied Mrs. Dutton, confidently, for she 
was rather proud of that suit, it having been poor 
Bob's best. 



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8T1CKNET HAKB8 HIMSELF "SOLID" 69 

" Well," aaid Stickney, " things like these may 
do to work in, but I shall want something very 
difFerent when I go out in company." 

" Go out in company I " cried Farmer Dutton, as 
though not quite sure that he had heard aright. 
" What kind of company do you expect to go into 7 
President's receptions ? " 

" No," laughed the lad. " At least, not yet. For 
the present 1 shall be satisfied with buskings, singing- 
schools, spelling-matches, house-warmings, quilting- 
bees, picnics, and occasional dances. You see I've 
heard of all these things, and one reason for coming 
ashore was to find out what they are like." 

" Young man," remarked Fanner Dutton, severely, 
"my help has always been permitted to enjoy reli- 
gious services, including Tuesday and Friday evening 
prayer-meetings, but never any of the other frivolities 
you have mentioned. £z for dances, I'd rather see a 
son of mine — " 

" A pirate," suggested Stickney. 

"There, there, father," broke in Mrs. Dutton. 
" Mebbe we've been a mite too strict. This young 
man is a good lad, I'm sure, and '11 do what is proper, 
even if we do let up on rules a little. Besides, we 
must remember our own dear son, and that it's our 
duty to protect his good name among the neighbors." 

" I very carelessly dropped a hint to-day of having 
once met your son," confessed Stickney, " but I said 
nothing of the circumstances. Now, therefore, it Is 



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00 A iON OF SATSUHA 

rather important that I should know how to replf 
when questioned conoenung him. Shall I speak of 
him as a—? " 

** Man of affairs, inclined to missionary efFort," 
said Mrs. Dutton, qoicklj. 

" Thank you, madam ; I'll be sore to get up and 
light the fire for you in the moming." 



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CHAPTER VIII 

BOB CHOOSES A CABIN 

With Sticknej Clark, or John Stickney, as he 
waa now called, thus established as an inmate of the 
Dotton farmhouse, we may safely leave him for a 
time, and follow the fortunes of his fellow-conspira- 
tor, Bob Whitiiig, who, when last seen, was walking 
meditatively back into the town of Salem. 

" He's a mighty nice sort of a chap," thought Bob, 
referring to Stiokney, " and he seems pretty well able 
to take care of himself, too. He isn't acquainted 
with Farmer Dutton, though, and he'll mn across a 
tough old root that won't give way in a hurry, there. 
Shouldn't wonder if they send him packing soon aa 
they find out that he don't know a thing about farm- 
ing. Wish I could be there to see what'll happen. 
It's sure to be a circus of some kind. I'd sooner 
be here, though, or rather on board the FriejuUhip. 
Queer that he should say first off for me to get aboard 
soon after sundown, and directly afterwards advise 
me to wait till one bell, which I suppose is his way 
for saying one o'clock. I should think about half- 
past eight would be a good deal nearer the mark. 
That was a funny thing, too, about the end of a second 
watoh dog. I didn't know they had watch dogs 



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Oa A SON OF SATSDMA 

aboard a ship. Come to think of it, though, I hare 
heard of old sea-dogs. Perhaps he meant one of 
them, only I don't exactly see the sense. Well" — 
with a sigh — "I suppose I've got a lot to learn. No 
more'n he has, though." 

While thus thinking. Bob made his way across the 
city to the vicinity ot the ship on which he proposed 
to sail. As it was still too light for his purpose, he 
loitered about the neighborhood, taking care not to 
attract attention from any of the Friendthip't people. 
From a secluded point of observation he gazed admir* 
ingly at her towering masts with their crossed yards 
and bewildering intricacy of rigging all v^uely out- 
lined against the darkening sky. In fancy he already 
saw them rising from a background of stately palms, 
slender pagodas, and gleaming temples. He could al- 
most hear the tinkle of mosque bells, and the booming 
of Pacific breakers on beaches of snow-white coral. 
The perfume of spiees was in his nostrils, and his 
heart beat quickly with the thought that in a short 
time all these things would be for him substantial 
realities instead of elusive visions. 

From this dreaming our lad was awakened by the 
consciousness of a new note amid the sounds of prep- 
aration that came from the Friendship's deck. A 
small boat putting out from her side had carried one 
end of the longest rope he had ever seen to a distant 
mooring buoy well out in the stream, where it was 
made fast. At the same time, the heavy lines 1^ 



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BOB CHOOSES A. CABIN 68 

which the ship was held to the wharf were beiDg cast 
off one after another. Even to Bob's ignorance it 
was phtia that she was about to make a move of some 
kind, and for a moment he was in a most unhappy 
state of indecision. Should he go on board while she 
still lay at the wharf, with a good prospect of being 
detected and ignominiously driven ashore, or should 
he wait until it was wholly dark and take his chances 
of getting off to her in a shore boat? No; that 
would not do, for she might be going to sail at once. 

Just as Bob had decided to make the most of hia 
present opportunity for getting aboard and was start* 
ing toward the gang-plank, a man, who had at that 
moment driven up in a light wagon, hailed him, 
saying : — 

" Here, young fellow, if you belong to that ship, 
help me get these things aboard. Be spry, now, for 
I see they are going to haul oat." 

Quick to not« the advantages of the chance thus 
offered, Bob readily complied with this request, and 
in another minute was following the man up the 
gang-plank, laden with certain cabin stores ordered 
at the last moment. The ship's steward was anx- 
iously expecting these, and led the way into the 
cabin, where he desired the carriers to deposit their 
burdens in a vacant stateroom, the door of which he 
flung open. 

The grocery man had no sooner laid down his 
packages than he presented a bill to the steward, and 



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M A SON OF SATSmU. 

tlie Utter sayii^, " Come to my room where I'll settle 
with you," the two walked away, leaviog Bob alone 
in the cabin. 

"What a bit of lock," chuckled the boy, half 
aloud, as he glanced at the Burroundiugs already 
made familiar by his visit of the momii^r. " Here 
I am in the place they call the forecastle, just where 
Stickney told me to hide, and not a soul in sight." 

A minute later, when the steward and the grocery 
man again passed through the cabin, it was empty. 
Keither gave a thought to the lad whom they had 
left there, for the steward imagined him to be the 
grocery man's assistant who had already gone ashore, 
while the latter supposed Bob to be a member of the 
crew, and that he had gone forward. At any rate, 
the grocery man had no time to consider the case, 
for the crew were already walking around the cap- 
stan, the cable was hove taut, and he was barely able 
to regain the wharf as the ship reluctantly swiing 
clear with her head pointed down the harbor. 

With that first sluggish movement her eventful 
TOy^e around the world was actually begun, though 
for several houTs longer she lay at the mooring buoy 
as though loath to leave her snug haven and plunge 
into the weary struggle with wind and wave that lay 
beyond. About nine o'clock the moon rose, and 
soon afterwards Captain Endicott came on board 
accompanied by a pilot. It was a glorious night, 
clear and warm, with just enough ur moving to give 



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BOB CHOOSES A CABIN <S 

iteerage way. The tide was near the top of its 
flood, and would soon turn ebb. For a minute Cap- 
tuo Endicott glanced silently about Mm, and his 
gaze lingered on the city in which he had just bidden 
a long farewell to his devoted family. Then, rous- 
ing himself, he said briskly to the pilot, who stood 
by his side : — 

"No reason why we shouldn't drop down and run 
out to-night, is there, Mr. Tynan ? " 

"None at all, sir." 

"Then we'll do it. Mr. Knight, have idl hands 
called. Make a&H and get under way. The sooner 
we start, the quicker well be home f^ain." 

" Very well, sir." 

So the good ship, bound for the other aide of the 
world, let go her mooring in Salem harbor and 
slipped out to sea. A few hours later the pilot had 
been dropped, and the ship, under topsails, was dash- 
ing merrily along before a brisk northeaster that had 
set in with daylight. Headed (or the extremity of 
Cape Cod, she was shearing through the green rollers 
of Massachusetts Bay at a rate that flung clouds of 
spray h^h above her catheads, only to fall on deck 
and drenoh all forward in glistening mist. 

The crew was at breakfast, gulping down panni- 
kins of black coffee, mnncbing the flinty ship bisotdt 
that would be their only bread for many a long day, 
and pawing over the beef kid for choice bits of sal^ 
horse, when the second mate's attention was at 



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W A SON OF 8ATSUUA. 

traoted by tlie sounds of & vigorous dispute in ths 
forecastle. 

" Stow that guff ! " he cried, walking briskly for- 
ward. " What's to pay here, anyhow ? " 

Two men were stru^Ung for posseasion of a well- 
filled canvas bi^. 

" Reddy's a-trying to claim this 'ere, sir, cos it were 
found in his bunk, and haven't got do owner, while 
it were me, sir, diskivered that he hain*t aboard," 
ezpliuned one of the men. 

*' Yes, sir, it were in my bunk, where I found it 
first, an' called out to know who were its owner. Of 
course, when nobody couldn't prove it to be hisn, I 
claimed it," protested the other. 

" Give it here," demanded the mate, reaching out 
for the bag, which was reluctantly handed to him. 
" What's this? " he said, as he read the name painted 
on its side. '"John Stickney Clark.' That's the 
young fellow Cap'n Endlcott was expecting. 1 
heard him asking Mr. Knight if he had reported on 
board. Where is he?" 

" Don't know, sir; we hain't seen nothing of him," 
replied one of the men. " Reckon he's left behind, 
in which case his dunn^e becomes foc'sle property, 
'cording to foc'sle law." 

"I'll take charge of it," said Mr. Barry, "and if 
the owner doesn't turn up, I'll auction it off in the 
first dog watch this evening." With this the second 
mate walked aft, carrying with him the disputed bag 



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BOB CHOOSES A CABIN « 

and entered the cabin, where Captain Endicotfc and 
Itis first officer had just sat down to breakfast. 

" Here's a bag, sir, that was found in the f oc'sle with- 
out any owner," he said. " The name on it is 'Clark,* 
and hearing jou speak of expecting Cap'n Clark's 
son on board, I thought best to bring it to yon." 

"Eh?" remarked Captain Endicott, glancing at 
the b^ and reading the name painted on it. " He 
must be somewhere in the ship, then. I found a 
note of introduction from his faUier awaiting me at 
the office yesterday. Have a thorough search made 
for t^e young man, Mr. Barry, and I will look fur- 
ther into the matter as soon as I come on deck." 

" Very good, sir," replied the second mate, retiring 
from the cabin as he spoke. 

" I hope," continued the captain, turning to his 
table companion, " that nothing has happened to that 
young man, for his father and I are great friends. I 
shall also be very sorry if he has been left behind, 
for I've held the berth of third mate open for him in 
case he proves to be half the seaman his father claims 
he is. Steward, what have you got in that spare 
room?" 

" Nothing, sir, except some cabin stores that came 
aboard last evening too late for proper stowii^, but 
I'll attend to them this morning, sir." 

" Nonsense I cabin stores don't make a noiae like a 
sick pig. Sore you haven't stowed away some pet 
animal in there ? " 



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M A SON OF SAT8DUA 

" No, air, I hates 'em, leea'n they'a human, and I 
hope, sir, you wouldn't think I'd have the presump- 
tion to Btow sway a human in any part of the ship, 
more especial the cabin, sir," 

" I should hope not ; but just take a look behind 
that door and see what is making the noiee I surely 
hear, unless my ears have gone wrong." 

The steward flung open the door of the spare state- 
room and stepped inside. As he did so he uttered 
an exclamation of mingled anger and disgust. The 
next moment he emerged di^^ng by the collar our 
young friend, Bob Whiting, so wretchedly ill from 
sea-sickness that his trembling knees almost refused 
to support his body. 

" So help me, I didn't know a thing of this, sir I " 
protested the steward. "I never set eyes on the 
filthy young pirate before." 

" Is that yoors ? " asked Captain Endicott, with a 
sudden inspiration addressing our lad, and pointing to 
the b^ Mr. Barry had left lying on the cabin floor. 

Bob glanced unsteadily at the object in question, 
manned to decipher the dancing letters of the name 
painted on it, and weakly nodded his head in the 
affirmative. 

" Don't nod your head at me I " thundered the 
captain, angrily. "Answer at once, or I'll have you 
keel-hauled." 

" Tes, sir. It's my bi^," siud poor Bob, finding 
his voice. "That it — " 



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BOB CHOOSES A CABIN M 

"That will do," iDterrapted the captain ; *'and if 
it wero not that you are the son of one of my oldest 
friends, you should suffer sweetly for this caper. Of 
course you have been on a spree. No sailor such as 
you are would otherwise dare make himself at home 
in a ship's cabin. Your very sickness is proof that 
you have been drinking, and I am ashamed of yon 
as well as disgusted. Now clear out of this. Take 
your dnnn^e and go forward where you belong, 
and where this caper will keep you for a long time 
to come. Move, sir I Not a word. I haven't the 
patience to listen to any explanation." 



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CHAPTER IX 

A HAYSEED AT SEA 

PooB Bob, taking the bag that tbe steward thrust 
into hia hand, stumbled giddily up the oabin stairs, 
and out on deck. 

" I declare I " said Captain Endicott, as he dis- 
appeared, "that is one of the saddest spectacles I 
have ever seen in all my years of sailoring. A 
young fellow like him, coming of good stock, whose 
father is one of the finest seamen I know, and whose 
chances for rapid promotion were as bright as those 
of any chap aSoat. Now be is simply flin^ng them 
to the winds, because he is too weak to resist the 
first temptation he meets. I surely am sorry for hia 
father. As for the cub himself, I don't suppose he 
is worth wasting pity on. We must see to it, Mr. 
Knight, that he gets no liquor while aboard this ship, 
and when you relieve Mr. Barry, I wish you would 
set the young drunkard at whatever work you think 
will sober him quickest. Poor old Sufe Clark I 
What a blow this will be to him I " 

The first mate having finished his breakfast went 
at once on deck, where he found Bob leaning on the 
taffrail in an agony of seasickness, and Mr. Barry 
watching him with an air of bewildered di^j^st. 



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A HATSEED AT SEA 7t 

** What shall I do with this thing, sir ? " asked the 
latter. " Does he belong forward or aft ? Is he an 
ofEcer of the ship, one of the crew, or merely a sea- 
sick passenger ? " 

'* He is one of the crew, confoond him ! " answered 
the first mate, wrathfully. "He is also a son of 
Cap'n Rufe Clark, the Black Bailer, yon know ; but 
the young whelp has played it low down on our old 
man, who was ready to make third of him, by com- 
ing on board so beastly drunk that he blundered into 
the cabin instead of the forecastle, and made himself 
at home in one of the staterooms. Suppose he 
thought he was on his daddy's ship, and could do as 
he pleased ; but hell find out the difference before 
he is many minutes older, I'll relieve you now, 
Mr. Barry, and you may go to your breakfast." 

As the second mate disappeared down the after 
companionway, Mr. Knight stepped to where Bob 
still leaned over the taffrail, seised him by the collar, 
walked him briskly to the forward end of the poop, 
shot him down the steps to the main deck with a 
vigorous kick, and flung his bag after him. 

" Pick it up," he ordered roughly, " and carry 
it forward. Then come aft and report for duty. 
You're in the starboard watch, you understand, and 
your time for sojering is over. Cut along spry now, 
or I'll come down and make you." 

Bruised, bewildered, and indignant, Bob walked 
unsteadily forward, drt^ging the canvas bag after 



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72 A SON OF SATSUUA 

him. He stopped hesitatingly at the galley door 
aud looked inside ; but an angry roar from the hlack 
cook, the very "doctor" with whom he had been 
advised to make himself "solid," catised him to 
hastily withdraw his head and move on. A shower 
of spray dashing high above the ship's side fell and 
drenched him. Id seeking to avoid it he made a 
loi^ for an open doorway, only to find himself in 
a low, dark room, full of foul odors and lined with 
bunks. 

" Wotcher want in 'ere, ye pea-green lobster?" 
growled a voice. 

" I am looking for a place called the forecastle," 
replied Bob. " Is this it ? " 

" No indeedy. This 'ere's the Queen's palace, bat 
all the same you're welcome to stay and make your- 
self to home. Wet's your name ? " 

Ere Bob could answer, the mate, who had followed 
him, stock his head through the doorway, saying 
sharply : — 

" Come out of that, you Clark. Didn't I tell you 
to he spry and report for duty aft ? What do you 
mean by loafing here? " 

Dropping his bag. Bob slowly regained the deck, 
only to be greeted by a stinging blow from a rope's 
end wielded by the wrathful mate. 

" I told you to move spry ! " he cried. " You've got 
to learn that when I say a thing I mean it, and the 
quicker you do so, the better it'll be for you. You've 



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A HAYSEED AT SEA 7S 

got to find out, too, that this is oo daddy's ship, 
where you can do as you please just because the old 
maa is your father. I expect he sent you here to 
be broke in, and the evidfluces are that you need 
breaking about as bad as any young cub afloat. 
Aa you claim to be an A 1 seaman, in spite of all 
appearances to the contrary, let us see what you are 
good for. Skip aloft and report to me the oondition 
of the main skysail bontlines. If you are not on 
deck ^ain inside of three minutes, I'll know the 
reason why. Skip, I say 1 Don't stand there 
staring at me with your mouth open like a half- 
drowned codfish." 

With this the mate lifted the bit of rope that he 
still held, and to escape its sting Bob lurched toward 
the main weather rigging, guided by the direction 
of the officer's outstretched arm rather than by any 
knowledge of what he was required to do. 

" Up you go 1 " cried Mr. Knight, impatiently, at 
the same time stepping forward and cutting at Bob's 
legs with the rope end to accelerate his movements. 

To avoid another blow the young farmer made a 
convulsive effort at haste, and manned to ascend 
the lower rigging in foirly good time. When he 
came to the futtock shrouds, however, be paused 
irresolute, and then, climbing awkwardly through 
the lubber's hole, was momentarily lost to view in 
the top. 

** Well, m be blanked ! " exclaimed the astonished 



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74 A SON Of BAT8UUA 

mate. " If that don't beat the Dutch t And him 
the Boa of a aailor, bred to his father's trade, and 
shipping as an A 1 ! " 

With this the dii^usted officer walked aft, as 
though no longer interested in the movements of 
a lad who had so disgraced himself. Od the poop 
deck he turned and oast one more glance aloft. 

Bob had got halfway up the topmast rigging, but 
there his progress was arrested, for, happening to 
look down at the reeling deck and heaving seas, he 
became so helpless from giddiness and nausea as to 
be incapable of further motion. He could only cling 
desperately to ahroud and ratline, and pray for help 
before his weakening grasp should relax. Several 
of the oiew at work on chafing gear were watching 
him with broad grins and an exchange of derisive 
winks. To a couple of these the mate bawled an 
order : — 

" Lash that lubber fast where he is. Spread-eagle 
him ; d'ye hear ? " 

" Ay, ay, sir ! " And in another moment two active 
fellows were at work upon our poor lad, securely 
seizing him to the rigging by rope yarns passed 
about wrist and ankle. They chuckled over their 
task and performed it without compunction ; for in 
some way the news had already got about that this 
young landlubber bad shipped as an able seaman, 
and there is nothing more despised at aea than one 
who suIb under false colors. 



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A HATSBED AT SEA 7S 

While these men were busy with Bob, he begged 
them to help him down to the deck, but they only 
jeered at him, saying : — 

" Oh, no, pet, don't think of going away. Stay op 
here along of ns for a while. The view's fine, and 
the breeze'll do you good. It'll blow the cobwebs 
outer your hair. And now that there's no danger 
of your falling, you kin take a nap same's a kid in 
a cradle. Ta ta, baby, smile and look pleased." 
Then tliey left him and returned to their ohafing 
gear. 

For a short time the sense of security afforded 
by his lashings was a comfort to Bob ; but after a 
little he began to experience sharp pains, first in his 
wrists, and then along the whole length of his 
extended arms. Before long he was moaning with 
agony -, and then, what with illness, weakness, fright, 
and pain, he gradually lost consciousness and his 
body swayed limply with the motion of the ship. 

About this time Captain Endicott appeared on 
deck, and with his first glance aloft spied the spread- 
e^led figure in the topmast rigging. 

" Hello [ " he exclaimed, " what's the meaning of 
that, Mr. Knight, — one of my crew triced to the 
rising without my knowledge ? " 

"It's that young Clark, sir," replied the mate. 
" I ordered him aloft, and when he got that &r he 
refused to go saiy further. So I had him made fast 
until he should be ready to obey orders. While he 



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n A SON OF BATSUHA 

claims to be an able seaman, he crawled through th* 
lubber's hole, and altogether there seems to be some- 
tbiog very wrong about him." 

"Crawled through the lubber's hole, did he?" 
exclaimed Captain Endicott, his face flushing with 
vexation. *' When a man claiming to be a seaman 
does that, he richly deserves punishment, and I don't 
blame you for administering it promptly. At the 
same time you should have reported the matter to 
me. Now yon may have him cut loose and order 
him down. I will investigate his case, myself." 

" Cast loose that hoy in the main rigging and send 
him down here," sung out the mate, and the men 
who had secured Bob in his present position hastened 
to undo their work. 

" Seems to be helpless, sir, and I'm afeared he'll 
drop if we let go of him," reported the one who first 
reached the unconscious lad. 

" Very well, fetch him down, then ; or, hold on, 
make fast the bight of a staysail halyard under his 
arms and send him down." 

So Bob was lowered to the deck as though he were 
an inanimate object, while the mate took in the slack 
of the halyard and kept him from swinging. 

" Most fool performance I ever heard of," he mut- 
tered ; while such of the crew as could witness the 
extraordinary proceedings watched them with broad 
gtins and hoarse chuckles of merriment. 

These suddenly ceased, however, as the limp form 



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A HAT8BBD AT SBA 77 

came into plainer view and it was seen that the head 
hiii^ lifelessly down on its breast. They laid him 
on deck and dashed cold water in his face, while th» 
mate, who was by no meana a brutal man, rubbed the 
boy's arms vigoronsly to restore their lost circulation. 

Captain Endicott heaved a aigh of relief as Bob 
began to gasp for breath and give other signs that 
he was still alive. 

" I could never have met Rufe Clark ^ain," said 
the former, " if his boy had come to grief on board 
my ship, no matter how worthless he is. Now carry 
him to his bank, get off those wet clothes, wrap him 
in blankets, and I'll send the steward with somethim^ 
hot. We will postpone that investigation uqIH a 
more favorable time. Turn to I Turn tfft" he 
added giufiQy to a group of men who ha4 'gathered 
to watch proceedings, and they scaittered like 
chickens before the pounce of a h^iwk- 

Poor Bob was cared for, roagUy, to be sure, but 
so effectively that a little lat^r be had fallen into a 
heavy sleep that lasted, wi^ brief interruptions, all 
that day and during the greater part of the one that 
followed. 



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CHAPTER X 

BATED AS ASSISIANI OOOK 

On the moToing of the third day after leaving 
Salem, Bob Whiting, feeling that be ooold no longer 
stand confinement to his evil-smellipg forecastle bunk, 
and longing for a breath of fresh air, answered the 
call for bis watch and with them tmnbled out on 
deck. Following the example of his mates, he applied 
for and got his share of turn-to coffee from the 
galley. It was weak slops sweetened with molasses, 
and in Tain did Bob look for the cream to which he 
had been accustomed, or even for milk to render it 
more palatable. For a moment it seemed as though 
he could not drink the sickish mixture ; but with an 
effort be succeeded in getting it down, and to his 
surprise his stomach retained it. Moreover, it was 
hot, and so thoroughly warmed him that he b^an 
to feel better than at any time since coming on 
board the ship. 

He had hardly finished the coffee before somebody 
thrust a broom into his hand and bade him get to 
work. A portion of the watch were deluging the 
decks with salt water from draw buckets, while 
others were scrubbing and sweeping all litter into 



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RATED AS ASSISTANT COOK 79 

the scuppers. Here, then, was something that Bob 
oould do, and he did it to the best of his ability. 

After a half hour of this work the decks from 
knight-head to taffrail were beautifully dean, and 
beginning to dry under the warmth of the newly 
risen sun. Then Bob, given some polishing powder 
and a handful of rags, was ordered to shine the 
brass work of the poop-steps. This was a novel 
task for the farm-bred lad, and he set about it so 
awkwardly that the second mate, who was keenly 
watching him, demanded to know if there was any 
kind of work aboard ship that he could do better. 

" I hope so," answered Bob. 

"Say 'sir' when you answer an officer of this 
ship," thundered the mate. 

"Yes, sir." 

" Wbat can you do, then ? " continued Mr. Barry. 
•• Can you milk a cow, for instance ? " 

"Oh, yes, sir." 

" And saw wood ? " 

" Yes, sir." 

" I suppose you can drive a straight furrow and 
hill a row of com. Perhaps you can tell wheat from 
oats, and rye from barley. Perhaps yon know that 
potatoes don't grow on trees, and that blackberries 
are red when tbey are green. Perhaps you have 
learned all those things." 

" Yea, sir." 

" Together with plenty more of the same kind, I 



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80 A BON OF SATSUHA 

have no doubt, and imagine they'll do you « lot of 
good on shipboard. I thought so from the begin- 
ning, when I saw your hair bristling with hayseed. 
Now tell me honest, where did you steal that suit 
of sea-b^ ? " 

" I didn't steal them, sir," replied Bob, indignantly. 
"They — " 

" Didn't steal the dmmage b^ you brought aboard 
either, I suppose," interrupted the mate. *' Nor the 
name of its owner. And you are not trying to pass 
yourself off as Stickney Clark, aUe seaman, son of 
Cap'n Rufe Clark, the Black Bailer. Not doing any 
of these things, are you ? " 

" No, sir, I am not." 

" Then what are you doing, you thundering young 
hayseed? Who are you, and what are you here 
for?" 

Ere Bob could answer there came a great commo- 
tion from near at hand that attracted the mate's 
attention. A crash, a yell, then an angry voice, and 
a shower of blows. 

Captain Endicott was one of the few masters of 
deep-sea trading-ships who carried a cow on bis long 
voyages. Now this animal, stalled under the gallows- 
frame, had kicked over the cabin steward as he awk- 
wardly tried to mUk her, and the angry man was 
beating her with a belaying-pin. 

" Drop that, yon duffer I " cried Mr. Barry, spring- 
ing to thfi spot and seizing the man's uplifted arm. 



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II officer of (his ship," 



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BATED AS ASBISTAKrr COOK 81 

H But the beast kicked me, sir, and it's the third 
time she's done it, too." 

" Served you right, you chuckle-headed idiot ; yoa 
dou't know how to handle her any more than a poll 
parrot. Any aelf-respecting cow would kick a fool 
that tried to milk her from the wrong side. Here, 
^hayseed — " 

Realizing that he was thus addressed, Bob obeyed 
the call. 

" Take a turn at your regular trade, and milk that 
cow." 

Wondering at finding this familiar task part of a 
seaman's duty, Bob obeyed ; and inside of the min- 
ute was druning the last drop of stripping8,into the 
foaming pail. 

When he rose from the box that had served as a 
milking-stocd, he saw Captain Eodicott leaning against 
the monkey rail, and watching him with interest. 

" Come here," he ordered ; and Bob, stepping aft to 
obey, started to ascend the weather aide of the poop. 

"The otiier side, you lubber," shouted the captain. 
" Didn't your father ever teach you any better than 
to try and pass to windward of an ofBcer, eBpecially 
ou the poop deck ? " 

So Bob gained the sacred precinct by the lee steps, 
and stood cap in hand before the autocrat of the 
ship. 

" Sobered up at last, have you ? " was the skipper's 
first comment. 



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tt A SON OF SATStTMA. 

" I never was drunk, air," replied Bob. 

"What were you, then, if not drunk?" 

"Seasick, sir." 

" Tell that to the marines ! A lad who has spent 
all his life on blue water doesn't get seasick — why, 
you were born at sea, weren't you?" 

"Yes, sir, but — " 

" That will do. Don't try to crawl out of a bad 
position by lying. I shan't add to the punishment 
you have already safFered for this spree ; but here- 
after you want to look sharp, or even my friendship 
for your father won't save you. If you had any idea 
of being made third officer of this ship, the quicker 
you drop it the better, for I'd as soon give the posi- 
tion to tiiat cow as to one who has proved himself so 
ill qualified to fill it as you have. Now go forward 
and by prompt obedience to orders try and prove 
yourself worthy to bear your father's name." 

" But, sir, I didn't expect — " 

** Not another word 1 " thundered the captain so 
fiercely that Bob involuntarily recoiled. " I don't care 
to hear what you expect«d or didn't expect, and I 
only want you to clear out." 

So saying, the irate skipper took a forward step 
with uplifted hand, which so frightened poor Bob 
that he fled to the main deck ; on reaching which he 
stumbled and measured his length. 

As he roefully picked himself up, Mr. Barry was 
beside him, saying in a low tone, " The more you can 



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RATED AS ASSISTANT COOK N 

fceep oat of the old man's sight, the better off you'll 
be. Now go and report to the doctor, who'll find 
work fitted to your peculiar talents." 

Bob, having by this time learned who the "doctor" 
was, obeyed without a word, and presented himself 
at the gallery door. 

" Ki, yi ! " laughed tile n^pt>, when he learned 
the lad's errand. ** Dat am a perdickerment fo' shoab. 
Cap'n'a son come to be cook's boy. Wat yo' good fer 
anjrway?" 

" I am not the captain's son," began Boh, bat agun 
his attempt at an explanation was out short, for his 
new master interrupted him sav^^ly. 

" Doan yo' gie me no back-lip, yo' low-down white 
trash. Ad' you say * sah ' ebbery time yo' speaks to 
me, too, or I'll split yo' wif er meat axe. Sho's yo' 
bawn, I will. Now take dat ar buck-saw an' go to 
sawin' wood fer de galley stove. When you've sawed 
hit, you kin split hit, an' when you've split hit, you 
kin pile hit, an' when you've |uled hit, 1'U fin' sum- 
pin' else to keep yo' oaten meechief . So git ter work 
an' 'member yo' boss is er watching yo' wif bofe eyes 
all er time." 

The "doctor" was quite as good as his word, for all 
that day he watched Bob so closely that the latter 
wondered how he managed to do anything else. If 
at any time the boy paused in his labor for a mo- 
ment's rest, a flying billet of wood, a potato, or a 
volley of language served as a reminder that the eye 



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84 A SON OF SATSDHA 

of his "boss" was upon him. And the number of 
his tasks was so endless that it seemed as though it 
were always to be his watch on deck and never his 
watch below. Besides sawing, splitting, and piling 
wood, he was made to fetch watei and peel potatoes, 
attend to the wants of the live stock on board and 
clean out their pens, scrape out wooden mess kids 
and scour pans, serve meaU to both watches, scrub 
the galley floor, and do a hundred other things 
all in a line with what he had done on the Dutton 
farm, only under oonditions infinitely harder. And 
with it all he was given only the leavings of the 
coarsest kind of food after everybody else, includ- 
ing the black cook, had finished eating. 

"No wonder that chap was anxious to change 
places with me," the poor boy reflected bitterly, "if 
this is the kind of life he used to lead. Why, 
Farmer Button's pigs are better fed than I am, and 
as for sleeping aoconunodations, a Utter of straw in 
the barn would be luxury compared with my bunk 
in that hole they call the forecastle. Oh, what a fool 
I was not to stay where I was well off. Stickney 
warned me, too, but I thought I knew better than he. 
If ever I live to get back to a farm, though, I guess 
111 know enough not to leave it again for any job of 
sailoring." 

During that day the boy's name was not men- 
tioned in the cabin, nor were his affairs discuased 
by the ship's officers. Captain Endicott waa too 



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RATED A8 ASSISTAIHT COOK H 

disappoiDted in him, and Mr. Knight too contemptu- 
ous of him, to care to speak of him, while Mr. Barry 
had his own reason for keeping silence. He, how- 
ever, watched the lad closely, and in the dusk of 
that evening sauntered over to where Bob was still 
at work scouring a very black kettle. The reat of 
the crew had knocked off some time earlier, and were 
now grouped about the deck, lounging, smoking, 
chatting, or spinning yarns. Even the negro cook 
was squatted comfortably on his heels, puffing at 
a short pipe and watching the labors of his white 
slave. 

" Knock off there," ordered the mate, addressing 
Bob. " Your day's work is done." 

" Mr. Barry, sab, I hope yo' isn't gwine interfere 
'tween me and mah boy. Dar's a heap er wuk ter 
be did yet," ezpostolated the cook. 

" Do it yoniBelf, then," replied the mate, adding 
to Bob, " Come with me. I want to talk with yon." 

Leading the way to a spot out of hearing of the 
others, Mr. Barry suddenly asked, "What's your 
name ? " 

" Robert Whiting, sir." 

" Were yon ever at sea before ? " 

" No, sir. That is, not since I was a baby." 

" Brought up on a farm, wasn't you ? " 

" Yes, air." 

** Then what made you be such a fool as to itj 
and pass yourself off aa a sailor?" 



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M A BON OF SATSDHA 

" I didn't mean to, sir. I've tried to explain vho 

I am and how I came here, half a dozen times, but 

am always told to shut np and hold my tongue." 

" Well, now is your chance ; so fire away." 

Thus encouraged, Bob told his story in full to the 

second mate, who listened to it yritii evident interest. 



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CHAPTER XI 

liEABNING THE B0PB8 

Mb. Bakbx chuckled more than once during Bob's 
narrative, and seemed to extract a good deal of 
amnaemeot from it, though to the lad himself it 
seemed little less than a tn^edy. When it was con- 
eluded, the mate said : — 

"What do yon suppose that other chap is doing on 
the farm?" 

** I'm sure I can't imagine, sir." 

" Well, I can. He's getting into no end of scrapes, 
same as you are here. I've no donbt he has tried to 
yoke heifers to the plough instead of steers ; has left 
gates open and set the stock to rampaging all over 
the young crops ; has driven the hens into the duck- 
pond for a swim ; has attempted to ride a yearling 
colt to water, and has raised particular Cain in a 
hundred ways with everything he has undertaken. 
I only wish I was there to see him and the fanner 
breaking tacks in their sailing. Therell be no end 
of squalls, to say nothing of typhoons and hurri- 
canes, but Clark'll come out all right in the end, and 
even now he's having lots more fun as well as a hpap 
easier time than you are. But you want to be a 
sailor, don't you?" 



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BS A SOK OP SA7BD1U 

"I thougbt I did, sir." 

"What do you think now?" 

"I don't know, sir." 

"When you find out, let me know. I don't mind 
telling you that I was a farmer's boy myself before I 
came to sea, and so I know pretty nigh how yon feel." 

"Will I have to keep on working for the cook, 
sir ? " 

" Certainly, until you learn to make yourself use- 
ful in other ways." 

" And take orders from the men in the forecastle ? " 

"To be sure. Why not? You are the weakest 
among them, and the most ignorant of such things 
as make a man valuable on shipboard. It is an 
unbreakable law of the sea, of the whole world too, 
for that matter, that weakness and ignorance must 
always submit to strength and knowledge. So the 
only way for you to get on is by making the very 
best of the situation. Obey all orders promptly, and 
bear all hardships patiently. Make up your mind 
that so long as yon are shipped for the voyage, and 
can't get out of it, you'll turn it into a paying 
venture and finally land from it rich in profitable 
experience." 

" Do you suppose, sir, that I could ever get to be 
a ship's officer ? " asked Bob, thoughtfully. 

"Even stranger things have happened," replied 
John Barry, dryly. " Now you may go for'ard and 
tarn in with your watch at eight bells." 



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LEARNINO THE BOFES 89 

" But, sir," hesitated Bob, ** the cook said I was to 
Boour that kettle bright if it took till morniog." 

" Then the doctor was overstepping his authority," 
laughed Mr. Barry, " and you need not mind him. 
Even the sorriest sailor has some rights, one of which 
is that he is not to be called upon for work during his 
. watch below unless in an emergency that demands 
the services of all hands." 

With the long interview that satisfactorily estab- 
lished Bob's position aboard the Friendthip thus 
ended, he returned to his kettle scouring, only to 
drop it promptly at the striking of eight bells. The 
cook remonstrated, and even followed him to the 
forecastle with threats of dragging him back to work 
by " de har ob he haid." But Bob, stating the case 
to his fellow-watehmates, appealed to them for pro- 
tection, whereupon they charged the cook in a body 
and drove him yelling with terror to the shelter of 
his galley. By this Bob made one enemy, but 
gained half a score of friends, for the strong have 
always a warm feeling toward the weak whom 
they protect. 

Mr. Barry took an early occasion to report the 
true state of affairs in our lad's case to the cabin 
authorities; and though Captain Endicott was pro- 
Toked that such a trick as the exchange of a smart 
yooDg sailor for a clumsy young farmer had been 
played upon him, he was so relieved to find out that 
tiie son of his old shipmate was not tJie fraud he had 



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90 A BON OF SATSOHA 

supposed, that be could forgive it. Mr. Knight re- 
mained indifferent, saying that as all boys were 
Qui&ances, he couldn't see but what one was as bad 
as another. He only hoped this hayseed would steer 
clear and give him a wide berth. 

Accordingly the second mate was left to deal with 
the young farmer as he saw fit, and lucky it was for 
Bob Whiting that he had fallen into the bands of 
one who not only understood his case and sympa- 
thized with him, but who was at the same time a just 
man and a thorou^going sailor. He gave our lad 
every possible opportunity for learning a seaman's 
duties, even taking pains to teach biin how certain 
tbings should be done ; but giving him clearly to 
understand that a lesson once learned was to be 
remembered. 

If Bob forgot, as he eometimes did, a punishment 
prompt and adequate was certain to follow. He was 
not kicked, knocked down, nor even sworn at, as 
only too often happens on shipboard ; but was given 
double watch aloft, denied a Sunday duff, or made 
to perform some piece of work so peculiarly disf^ree- 
able as to indelibly impress its cause upon his mem- 
ory. These occasions were, however, few and far 
between; for as Bob's liability to seasickness wore 
away, and custom rendered his situation more bear- 
able than it had seemed at first, his old desire to learn 
things returned in full force. 

The man^^ment of a ship under sail, at first an 



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LEARNING THE ROPES •! 

inoomprehensible mystery, became a subjeot of en- 
grossing interest as soon as he began to comprehend 
its details, and he found himself swelling with pride 
wheneTor called upon to assist in even the simplest 
and most mechanical of its operations. Thus do one 
among the crew tailed on to sheet, brace, or halyard 
with more cheerful alacrity than our Bob ; who with 
equal readiness applied his strength to capstan bar and 
winch, or took in the slow slack of refractory ropes. 
But all t^, together with much scrubbing, polish- 
ing, sawing of wood, and the like, was deck work ; 
while Bob's ambition from the moment of that shame- 
ful seasick failure to gain a topmast-head was to be 
employed aloft. He was supremely envious of the 
active topmen who threaded the mazes of the ship's 
rigging with such absolute certainty, sprang aloft 
with the ease of so many squirrels, or, perched at the 
extremities of slender yards a hundred feet above the 
deck, performed difficult tasks with all the noncha- 
lance of those who tread solid earth. Thus when Mr. 
Barry finally sent him to join them, though it was 
only to do a trifling bit of work on a lower topsail, 
be was prouder than he could remember feeling dur- 
ing all the years of his farm life. From that moment 
Bob seized every opportunity for going aloft, and, 
being a bom climber, was soon as much at home on 
the main-topgallant-mast yards as he had ever been 
among the uppermost branches of shagbark and chest- 
nut trees on the Dutton farm. 



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09 A BON OF SATSUIU 

With this muoh accomplished, he had next to learn 
the myriad of ropes that, coming from aloft, were 
belayed in bewildering coofufiioa along the rails. 
Not only must he know their names and uses, but he 
must be able instantly to lay hands on any one of 
them, in absolute darkness or amid the confusion of 
a tempeet. This vas a science so diSBcult of attain- 
ment that Bob labored at it for several months before 
mastering its details. 

In the meantime he was taking special courses 
in knotting and splicing, palm and needle work, 
the compass, handing, reefing, and steering, and 
many other things that he had never even heard 
of before coming aboard that wonderful creation 
known as a ship. 

Besides studying and practising all these things, 
our lad was still compelled to act as assistant cook, 
and jump to do the bidding of his forecastle mates. 
Thus every waking hour was so crowded with things 
that must be done, together with things that he 
wanted to do, that he had not an idle moment, and 
was consequently happy, for there is nothing on 
earth so productive of content as plenty of work 
that one likes to do. 

During all these weeks and months that were 
transforming our "hayseed" into an alert and 
capable young sulor, the Friendtkip sailed steadily 
southward into tropic waters, crossing the Hue with 
the usual rough-and-tumble froUc, in which Bob 



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LEARNING THE BOPES OS 

was the principal sufferer, and putting into Bio for 
water. Here our lad, with the true spirit of a trav- 
eller, felt repaid for all the hardships he had under- 
gone by his first glimpse of a foreign city. Hia one 
liberty day on shore was so thoroughly enjoyed, that 
it was no sooner ended than he begau eagerly to 
plan for the next, though assured that months might 
elapse before another auch chance would be given 
him. 

From Rio, the IHendihip skirted the eastern »de 
of South America almost to its southern extremity, 
and passing through the narrow tide-swept water- 
ways of the Magellan Straits, voyaged northward 
over the broad Pacific for many days with varying 
fortunes. 

No one in the forecastle knew exactly whether she 
was bound other than for a cargo of pepper, but 
it was surmised that she was first to do a bit of trad- 
ing on the northwest coast. Bob hoped this might 
be true ; for to him that unknown region possessed 
a peculiar fascination, and he looked forward with 
impatience to the sight of its marvels. 

Finally, a symmetrical white cone rose from the 
blue of a far-distant horizon, and after scrutinizing 
it carefully through his glass. Captain Endicott 
altered his ship's course so as to pass it, and on the 
following day it was over the quarter, with another 
peak looming into view on the starboard bow. So 
they ran from pea^ to peak until the crew had about 



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N A SON OF 3ATSUHA 

decided that they were bound for the North Pole, 
when one day the ship was braced sharp on the 
wind and headed for land. As the coast line became 
recognizable, Captain Endicott mounted halfway up 
the mizzen weather rigging. From that point of 
vantage, he conned his vessel, laying a course 
directly toward what appeared an unbroken range 
of forest-clad hills. 

All hands were on deck watching, with silent ex- 
pectancy, the fast-nearing shore. Not until the ship 
was within a cable's length did an opening present 
itself, and as they shot into it, the shadows on its 
placid waters were so sharply outlined that it was 
impossible to tell where they merged into reality ; 
while the open channel seemed but a mere thread 
winding between them. So nearly was the breeze 
cut off, that courses and topsails hang limp against 
the masts, but the light upper canvEM was still 
bellied by an air current sufBcient to waft the ship 
ahead. 

" Port ! Hard aport I " ordered the skipper. 

" Hard aport, sir," replied the man at the wheel, 
whirling it over as he spoke. 

" Steady I " 

" Steady, sir ! " 

" Keep her away. Steady I Luff sharp ! Shoot 
her through. There, steady so I Good. Stand by 
and let go your anchor, Mr. Barry." 

With this, the skipper descended from the rigging. 



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LEABNING THE BOFES «fi 

and walked aft. As hie eye fell on the man at the 
wheel, he stood still and stared. 

" Was it you brought her in through that pas- 
8f^ ? " he almost gasped. 

"Yes, sir," replied Bob Whiting, flushing under 
his coat of tan. 

"Well," said the oaptain, regarding the young 
sailor from head to foot, as though now seeing him 
for the first time, "I wouldn't have believed it 
possible." 



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CHAPTER XII 

ON THE NOBTHWEST COAST 

" Let go your anchor ! " 

*' Let go, sir I " came the prompt reply, and tiiirty 
fathoms of chain cable rattled swiftly out through 
the bawBe before the ponderous mass of metal reached 
bottom. Then Bob, relieved from the wheel, found 
time to look about him. 

The ship lay in a land-locked basin of about a 
mile in diameter, from which rose abrupt hills 
densely forest-clad to the water's edge. The water 
was of such depth as to be blue save where it showed 
dark green with reflected foli^e or lay black in 
shadow. At one side was a narrow beach of pebbles 
on which were drawn up a number of strangely 
shaped boats or canoes hewn from great logs. All 
of them were painted black, though their overhang' 
icg sterns and projecting beaks were ornamented 
with grotesque designs in red and white. Beyond 
the beach stood a row of huta built of logs and 
wreckage. In front of them were reared a number 
of totem poles, some as large as the ship's maintop- 
mast, and all carved from base to tip with strange 
devices. Many of these carvings were outlined in 
color, and all were hideous. Only in iba eyes of 



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ON THE HORTHWi»T COAST -»T 

those who had conceived and executed them were 
they beautiful and full of meaning, since they 
reoorded deeds of ancestral prowess, and seryed u 
monuments of family pride. At one side of the 
village a mountain stream, foam-flecked and riotoua, 
tumbled into the bay, and near its mouUi lay a 
wreck of such strange shape as to excite much ciui- 
osity aboard the Friendthip. 

The appearance of the ship in that remote and 
almost unknowQ harbor created the greatest excite- 
ment on shore, and before she was anchored, half a 
dozen canoes loaded with natives were paddling 
swiftly toward her. 

They surrounded the ship, and their greasy occu- 
pants would have swarmed on board had they been 
allowed. But Captain Endicott had been on that 
coast before, and knew better than to permit the 
treacherous natives to board hia vessel in any num- 
bers. So he motioned for them to keep their distance, 
several muskets were pointed at them over the ship's 
rail, and one who attempted to clamber into the fore 
chains was promptly pitched overboard by Mr. 
Barry. This had the desired effect ; for, while the 
natives laughed prodigiously as they drew their drip- 
ping comrade into one of the canoes, they remained 
at a respectful distance awaiting developments. 
Then the skipper, who had been examining them 
through his glass, called out, " Black Jack." 

" Ay, ay, cap'n ; me here," answered a voice from 



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M A BON OF iATSUHA 

one of the caooes, in which a strapping young fellow 
with ao exceptionally ugly face stood up. 

" Come aboard for talk," commanded the captain ; 
and in another minute the individual thus singled 
out was cUmbing up over the side. 

Hh had once made a voy^e in an American trad- 
ing schooner as far as the Sandwich Islands, and had 
picked up a fair working knowledge of English that 
rendered him valuable as an interpreter. Thus he 
was a man of influence among his own people, and 
though he was known to be aa great a rascal as ever 
went unhung, Captain Endicott was determined to 
make a cautious use of him in his present venture. 

So Black Jack was received on board, given plenty 
to eat and drink, and a few presents with the promise 
of more if he should make a good trade. He an- 
swered readily enough all questions concerning the 
stock of furs in the village or obtainable from other 
points within a short time, and rejoiced the skipper's 
heart by stating that one hundred sea-otter skins, 
the most valuable pelts known to commerce, were 
waiting on shore to he exchanged for mm and such 
other luxuries as the Friendahip could supply. 
When he was asked about the wreck visible from 
the ship, his answers became so unintelligible that no 
informatioQ could be gained from them. 

Determined to solve the mystery, Captain Endi- 
cott, while still keeping the native on board, de- 
spatched Mr. Barry with a well-armed boat's crew 



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OH THE NORTHWEST COAST M 

ostenBibly to fill a water cask, but in reality to 
examine the wreck and report. While they vers 
gone, Black Jack was ahown the ship's battery of 
four and six pound guns to impress him with her 
atrength. He was also allowed to ezanune a portion 
of her stock of trade goods, concerning which he 
would be certain to spread marvellous tales upon 
going ashore. 

In less than an hour the boat returned, and Mr. 
Barry reported the wreck to be that of a junk, 
whether Chinese or Japanese he could not tell, badly 
broken up, partially bumed, and with nothing of 
value left on board. 

" It's all right then," said Captain Endicott, who 
had feared she might have been some trading Tessel 
captured and destroyed by the natives. " It is not 
uncommon for junks blown off the Japan coast to 
dnft to this one with the Kuro Shiwo. I once knew 
a crew of twelve Japs to be taken from such a dere- 
lict, within sight of land not very far from here, 
and yet people wonder where the American Indians 
came from. It would he a much greater canse for 
wonder if this coast were not inhabited, when to the 
drifting junks you add the fact that Behring Strait 
is only about forty miles wide, with islands midway 
across." 

Amicable relations having been established through 
Black Jack, a brisk trade sprang up between ship 
and shore, to the great satisfaction of both parties, 



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100 A SON OF SAT8DMA 

each of whom felt that it was getting the better of 
the other. News of the ship's presence spread 
rapidly along the coast, and strange natives^ coming 
in fuF'laden canoes, arrived almost daily from dis* 
taut viU^es. 

Although in the daytime niany canoes borered 
about the ship, the rule that not more than half a 
dozen natives should be allowed on hoard at once 
was strictly enforced. The Indian village became a 
populous community with many visitors, and it pre- 
sented an endless variety of entertainment to the 
crew when, in small parties, warned never to lose 
sight of the ship, they were permitted to go on 
shore. They were compelled to be on board again 
before sunset, and thus missed the dancing, feasting, 
singing, and general revelry that the natives kept 
up n^ht after night with tireless energy. None of 
this could he seen from the ship, because Uie fires 
around which all orgies centred were located on the 
farther side of the hutg in the edge of the forest. 
Thus the envious sailors could only watoh the 
reflected glow of firelight, and listen to the con- 
fusion of barbaric sounds that came to them on the 
still night air. 

One night, while Bob Whiting, forming one of 
the anchor watch, was thus listening and wishing he 
could see what was taking place, there came a new 
note into the medley of sounds. A loud yell and a 
confusion of fierce cries were followed by a launch- 



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OK THK NORTHWEST COAST 101 

sag of canoes, aad the furioTis dip of many paddles. 
Then came the sound of a brief struggle, followed 
by a chorus of triamphant bowlings and a gradual 
lapse into silence. 

Bob gave the alarm when he beard the lauQching 
of canoes, and the whole ship's company was mus- 
tered on deck in fear of an attack ; but when, aft«r 
a Mme, the natives were beard to regain the beach, 
they were dismissed to tbeir bunks, and the re- 
mainder of the night passed without incident. 
When in the morning the Indian known as Black 
Jack came on board, as usual, to make trade, he was 
questioned as to what had taken place a few hours 
earlier, and answered without hesitation : — 

" Tlinkit man come Sitka way, git plenty drunk, 
try steal Chinook squaw. Me no like. Ketch urn, 
bit mn plenty." 

"Nothing but a beastly native row," said the 
skipper, di^^tedly. Then turning to the Indian, 
he said ; "Jack, my men go ashore get water, eh. - 
You like it ? " 

" Taa, me like," replied Black Jack, indifferently. 

The trading was nearly ended, and Captain Endi- 
cott, satisfied that nothing was to be gained through 
a longer stay on the coast, had determined to sail on 
the morrow, but wished first to fill up with the 
excellent water afforded by the stream so close at 
hand. So the second mate was sent ashore with a 
boat's crew and a long string of empty casks in tow. 



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in A SON OF SATSDIIA 

It SO happened that Bob, much to his delight, was 
among thoee assigned to this duty. To the farm- 
bred lad a run ashore had become a treat to be 
e^erly enjoyed, and he knew that many weeks 
must elapse before another could be had. 

After all the casks were filled and tightly bunged, 
half of them were rolled into the sea, lashed together, 
and started toward the ship in tow of the boat, Mr. 
Barry and Bob remaining behind to see that the 
others were not stolen. Pulling a pipe from his 
pocket, the mate lay down under the lee of a great 
rock for a smoke, while Bob strolled slowly along a 
bank of the forest-bordered stream, intent on watch- 
ing the salmon that were fighting their way against 
its swift current in search of quiet spawning-beds. 

Attracted by one object of interest after another, 
our lad wandered much further inland than he had 
intended. The leaping and rushing of the steel-blue 
fish was so interesting, there were so many strange 
birds, flowers, and ferns to be watched and examined, 
that he went et^rly from one thing to another till 
suddenly, on tnrning a sharp angle of the bank, ho 
came face to face with a huge sh^^y animal that 
he instantly knew to he a bear. For a moment both 
Bob and the bear, which had also been watching the 
leaping salmon and trying to catch them, stood 
rooted with terror. Then the boy uttered a hysteri- 
cal yell, the bear sounded a hoarse "woof," and 
both fled crashing through the underbrush. Bob 



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le face to face with a bear. 



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ON THE N0BTHWB8T COAST IM 

ran until he tripped over a. root, and sprawled at 
fall length in a bed of great ferns that closed above 
him. 

Believing the bear to be close behind him, and that 
he was better ofF, thus bidden, than in flight. Bob 
lay for a few minutes perfectly still, trying even 
to stifle his panting breath and wishing that his 
heart would not beat so loudly. After a while, as 
nothing happened, he cautiously lifted his head, 
then he stood up and peered anxiously among the 
tree trunks. There was nothing in sight — no sound 
and no motion. 

" I've thrown him off the trail," thought Bob, feel- 
ing qnite proud of the masterly inactiTity that had 
led to so fine a result. *^ Now if I can only strike 
the stream a good bit lower down, I shall be all 
right." 

With Uus he began to walk as though treading on 
^gs, cautiously parting the branches before hint, and 
peering beyond them as though each one might con- - 
ceal the bear. All at once he was abruptly halted 
by a long-drawn moan that came from directly ahead. 

What kind of an animal made that kind of a 
Boond ? How Bob wished that he knew more about 
bears and their habits. He started off at an angle 
so as to give the sound a wide berth, and again it 
came to his ears, apparently as directly ahead as 
before. But this time he was certain that it must be 
uttered by a ^nman being. 



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IM A BON OF SATsnUA 

" Somebody ia in aa great trouble as I am," be 
tboagbt, " and if I were sure that bear wasn't any- 
where round, I'd find out what it is all about. Ill 
make a try for it anyhow." With this he advanced 
a few steps further, and then came upon a sight so 
strange and so pitifol that he gazed at it with fear- 
distended eyes. 



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CHAPTER Xm 

A WAIT FBOH JAPAN 

A NAKED human figure which Bob took to be tb&b 
of an Indian youth lay on the ground before bitn. 
Across its breast was a stout sapling, with the 
young man's arms, rigidly extended, lashed to ita 
extremities. His ankles, stretched as far apart as 
possible, were bound to standing trees. Over the 
naked body swarmed countless myriads of gnats, 
black Sies, and other stinging insects. The face, up- 
turned to the pitiless glare of the noonday sun, bad 
clean-cut features, but was of a deep purple, show- 
ing a congestion of blood, while the long-fringed 
eyelids were closed. Although the youth was to 
all appearances dead, another of the piteous moans 
that had attracted Bob's attention gave evidence 
that life still lingered within the tortured frame. 
There was no sign of any other human being in 
that vicinity. 

For a moment Bob stared uncomprehendingly at 
this terrible spectacle. Then moved by an uncon- 
trollable impulse, he drew his sheath knife and sprang 
forward. With half a dozen strokes of the keen blade 
be loosed the captive from bis bonds ; then, picking up 
the senselesfl form, which was wasted to sucb a light- 



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lOe A 80K OP 8AT8UMA 

neS8 that he could eaaily carry it, he bore it to a plaoa 
of dense shadow and laid it down on a bed of cool 
ferns. Bob now noticed that on the youth's nalced 
breast was tattooed in vermilion a small design that 
seemed to be a cross inscribed within a circle. 

Hardly giving this a thought, onr lad stood for a 
moment irresolute, wondering what he should do 
next. His fear of the bear was wholly forgotten ; 
but its place was taken by a new terror. The 
wretches who bad planned this torture might return 
at any moment to witness its effects, and in that case 
what would become of him? His impulse was to 
fly, find the stream, and regain his companions as 
quickly as possible, but it was overcome by another 
glance at the helpless figure before him. The dark 
eyes had unclosed, and were gazing at him with such 
an agony of appeal tiiat he could no more have de- 
serted the stranger than he could have cut off his 
own right hand. As be again glanced irresolutely 
about him, he spied a dim, ill-defined trail that seemed 
to lead in the direction of the stream. 

If the injured youth had only the use of his legs, 
they might make their way to the boat tc^ther, but 
alas ! he had not ; for as Bob lifted him to his feet, tiie 
tortured limbs gave way, and he dropped in a heap. 
He must be either carried or left behind, and picking 
him up, our sturdy lad started down the only trail 
leading from tlie place. It was a blind path, little 
used, and but recently made, as was shown by th* 



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A WAIF FROM JAPAN lOT 

freshly broken ferns that marked it, but it took them 
straight to the stream, beside which Bob stood a few 
minutes later breathless from his exertions. 

From this point a plainly marked pathway led 
both up and down the oreek, but our lad realized 
that he had not strength enough to bear his burden 
along it to the boat, for the stranger had again lapsed 
from consciousneaa and hung a dead weight in his 
arms. Besides, he would be almost certain to meet 
some of the natives on the trail or at least some of 
the numerous village do^, which would be quite as 
bad. 

To be sure, he might hide the helpless youth, hasten 
alone to where Mr. Barry waited, report the case to 
him, and beg for assistance. But would it be ren- 
dered? Would he not be blamed for interfering with 
Indian affurs and compelled to return at once to the 
ship? Tes, that was exactly what would happen. 
So he must either take the unfortunate youth with 
him or leave him to his fate. "And that I won't 
do," muttered Bob, sturdily. 

If only he had a raft, how easily he would float 
his awkward burden to the mouth of the stream ; 
but there was neither time to construct one, nor 
were materials at hand. The water might help, 
though, by partially supporting the load of sense- 
less humanity that was proving so embarrassing. 
Acting upon this suggestion. Bob stepped into the 
ice-cold Qood, and gently lowered the inert form 



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108 A SON or 9AT8UHA 

that he carried until it floated half sabmerged 
The swift cnrreDt Bwept it downstream, and ha 
followed, supporting it bj the shoulders, bo that the 
youth's head was lifted above the surface. In this 
way, slipping, stumbling, and once swimming for a 
short distance, but always moving forward more 
easily than he could have dooe on land. Bob 
finally reached the point from which he had 
started. 

His absence had been noted, only a few minute* 
earlier, by Mr. Barry, who had fallen into a doM 
over his pipe, and had not wakened from it until 
the return of the boat. Then he had looked 
about tot his young companion, called him, and 
was much bothered by hia non-appearance. He 
walked to the wreck and sent men into the village, 
but of course neither he nor they discovered the 
missing lad. The mate was growing decidedly 
uneasy over the situation when Bob suddenly ap- 
peared, batless, dripping, exhausted, and sta^ering 
under the burden of a naked youth apparently deiid, 
also dripping water as though just drawn from the 
river. 

'* What under the canopy I " exclaimed the aston- 
ished mariner, as he stared at this amazing tableau. 
" Where'd you get that dead siwash ? Did you kill 
him? and if you did, what in thunder are you 
lugging the body round for 7 " 

" He isn't dead, and he isn't a native," gasped Bob 



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A WAIF FROU JAFAH IW 

as he half fell over the gunwale of the boat and depos- 
ited his freight within it. " Please let me keep him, 
Mr. Barry, and please get him off to the ship as quick 
as you can. I found him being tortured almost to 
death, and I've had an awful time fetching him here, 
but I am sure we can save him if you will only take 
him OD board." 

The rescued youth had been so revived by the 
cold water in which he had floated aa to again 
regfun consciousness, and was now lying in the 
bottom of the boat with wide-open eyes. 

"He doesn't look exactly like a stwash, that's a 
fact," remarked the mate, glancing at the clean- 
cut features. " Looks more like a Jap. 'Poa my 
word ! I believe he is a Jap." 

"And you will take him off to the ship?" 

" Well, I don't know. What'U the old man say ? '* 

" We'd best either take him or leave him in a 
hurry, sir," suggested one of the men. " The natives 
seem to be getting excited.'* 

Ad ioquisitive urchin while watching the strangers 
from a place of concealment had noted fioVs surpris- 
ing arrival, and scampering to the village had told of 
it. The effect of his news was like the poking of 
a hornets* nest, and a score of Chinook warriors, 
brandishing hastily snatched up weapons, were nm- 
ning toward the boat. 

"Shove off aud ttunble in lively!" ordered Mr. 
fiany. "Never mind the casks I Cast 'em loose I 



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110 A SON OF SATSCMA 

Give vay. Hump yonrselves, men I They'll be 
after us in canoes directly. A nice mess you've 
got UB into," he added to Bob, who sat near at 
band, supporting the head of the Japanese youth 
on bis knees. 

** I'm awfully sorry, sir ; but I know you'd have 
done the same if you'd been in my place and seen 
the fis he was in." 

" Mebbe so, but I wouldn't bare been in the place 
yon were, and you hadn't any business to see bim." 

" I shouldn't have, sir, only the bear scared me so." 

"Bear I what bear? Look out I Now you've 
caught it. Pull, men 1 Pull for your Ut«s 1 " 

One of a flight of arrows, shot after the retreat- 
ing boat, had pierced Bob's left arm. From the 
wound blood dripped on the naked body he waa 
supporting. Half a dozen canoes were in ohaae ; but 
the ft^tives gained the ship ere they could be over- 
t^en, and the angry voice of a tix.ponnd gun 
warned the natives to keep their distance. 

As the boat dashed up to the Fritndahip, Mr. 
Barry helped Bob over the side, while two of the 
eiew followed with the stranger who was the inno- 
cent cause of all this conunotion. 

"What's the meaning of this?" demanded Cap- 
tain Endioott as tiie leading figures gfuned the deck. 

"Don't know exactly, sir," replied the second 
mate. "It seems that Whiting here discovered 
some of the natives torturing this prisoner, whom I 



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A WACT PBOM JAPAN m 

take to be a Jsp. Seeing fit to iaterfere, he rescued 
him and brought him down to the boat ia his arms. 
Before I ooald decide what to do with him they 
were opon us, yelling and shooting. As I didn't 
want to get into any row without orders, I thought 
best to come aboard and report. So here we are. 
I've only one man wounded, and that's Whiting." 

"Serves him right, too," growled the skipper, 
glancing severely at where Bob stood holding on 
to his left arm as though fearful it might escape. 
" Where are your casks ? " 

"Left 'em ashore, sir." 

" Well, go back and get them. Take eight men 
with you, — four to row, and four armed with two 
loaded muskets apiece. Hold on 1 I'll give yoo 
somethiug else that'll be even better than muskets. 
Fetch your prisoners hero, Mr. Knight." 

In obedience to tiiis order the first mate came for- 
ward, dii-ving before him three Indians whose arms 
were tied behind them. One was Black Jack ; and 
they, being the only natives on board when trouble 
was discovered ashore, had been promptly seized, 
bound, and held as hostages. 

" Who this man, Jack ? " asked the skipper, point- 
ing to the naked stranger lying on deck, where he 
had been dropped. 

" No sabby," answered the Indian, indifferently. 

" That's a lie," said the skipper, cocking a pistol 
88 he spoke. 



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lU A SON OF SATSUHA 

Black Jack heard the omiaona click and looked 
interested. "Who is he?" agaia demanded Cap- 
tain Endicott. 

" Him Sitka man, — samee I tell you try Bteal my 
woman las' night." 

"That's another lie," said the skipper, slowly 
raising his pistol until it pointed straight at the 
Indian's head. " He's no Sitka num. He's a Jap, 
and you know it. Now tell me all about him, for 
I shan't ask you ^ain." 

"Mehbe him Jap. Mebbe not. Me no sabby. 
Allee same him my man. Mebbe I like kill him. 
Mebbe not." 

" And mebbe you like gire him to me, eh ? " sug- 
gested the skipper. 

"How muchee?" inquired Black Jack, slyly, his 
trade interest being stronger than 1^ tear of death. 

" One gallon of rum," was the reply. 

" Two. You gib um two gall, you take um Jap." 

"All right," ^preed Captain Endicott. "I had 
intended giring you as much as that for your ser- 
vices anyway. But hark'ee, Black Jack. I'm going 
to send one of your mates ashore in my boat to tell 
your people that if they so much as fire a single 
arrow at it, I'll blow out your worthless brains. 
Ton sabe that?" 

"Yep, me sabby." 

" See that you give him his orders straight then, 
for your life will depend upon how he obeys them." 



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A WAIF FROM J^AN lit 

Black Jack talked earnestly in Chinook to the 
man chosen to conv^ his message ashore, and he 
ins still talking when Mr. Barry came aft to report 
the boat in readiness for departure. 

" Take that image with you," ordered the skipper, 
pointing to one of the three hostages, "and shoot him 
at the first sign of trouble." 

" Very good, sir. Shall I also take back the Jap ? " 
aaked the second mate, who knew nothing of the 
bargun just made. 

**N'o ; so long as you brought him aboard in face 
of opposition, I guess we'd best keep him. They'd 
take it that we were afraid of 'em If we let him go. 
Besides, the cook needs a new assistant now that 
your young hayseed has become an able seaman." 



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CHAPTER XrV 

THE OTHBB SIDE OF THB WOBLD 

Captaik Endioott'b plan worked like a charm. 
The Indian sent aahore with Mr. Barry, having his 
own life at stake, as well as the safety of his com- 
panions left on board the ship, pleaded so eloquently 
with his fellow-saTages that they kept their distance, 
and allowed the water casks to be towed off without 
interference. Then the ship herself was towed by 
&ree boats out through the narrow passage. When 
she was well clear of the land, Black Jack and his 
fellow-hostf^es, together with a two-gallon runlet 
of spirits, and a few trifling presents to restore 
friendly feeling, were lowered into a canoe and 
aUowed to depart. 

" 6ood-by, Jack," shouted the skipper ; " you want 
to have a lot of furs ready by the next time I oome." 

" Gtood-by, cap. Me ketch um plenty sea-ott. 
Mebbe me ketch um plenty Jap, too. Ton buy 
um, eh?" 

In the meantime, the one Jap already caught and 
bought had been placed in a forecastle bunk, where 
Bob, with a bandage about his own arm, became hia 
devoted attendant. He begged blankets and broth 
from the cabin steward, fed him, chafed his numbed 



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THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WOBLD lU 

limbs, and was unremitting in his attentions antil he 
finally had the satisfaction of seeing his patient fall 
adleep. 

From that time on, Bob found a sincere pleasure 
in his nev companion, who quickly became friend as 
well. He proved a bright fellow, and after a few 
days of oonTatescence was again up and about, 
aoxions to be employed. Within a week he had 
taken upon himself all of Bob's galley work, and 
the " doctor " was boasting of him as the very best 
assistant he had ever known. His name, as he gave 
it to Bob, was Shimadzu Katto San, and the latter 
called him "Katto," though the rest of the crew 
dubbed him "Mr. San," which, if they had but 
known it, was the same as calling him Mr. Mister. 

He was very anxious to learn English, and acquired 
it with such facility that before the ship reached 
Honolulu, which was her next port of Cfdl, he was 
able to give Bob an intelligible outline of his story. 
From this it appeared that he had belonged to a 
junk that had been blown to sea while coasting 
between two Japanese ports. After many days of 
helpless drifting a strange land was sighted, and as 
the battered craft drew slowly near the coast she 
was discovered and boarded by several canoe loads 
of savages. These towed the unfortunate vessel to 
the beach where she was afterwards seen by the 
Frimdfhip'a people, and there looted her. Some of 
her wretched crew were put to death, while otiierg 



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lie A BON OF 8ATSUHA 

were distributed along tlie coast sb slaves. Katto 
himself fell into the hands of Black Jack, and was 
the only one retained near the place of landing. 

He had been subjected to the harshest treatment 
and made to toil unceasingly to the full limit of his 
strength. Upon the arrival of the American ship 
he had been hidden away and given to understand 
that he would be killed if he attempted to escape. 
Despite this threat he had made the efEort, had 
secured a canoe, and had gained half the distance 
to the anchored vessel before being recaptured. This 
was the incident that had alarmed the I^'iend$hiyt 
people during the last night of their stay. 

Upon bmng retaken, poor Katto was shamefully 
beaten, and carried into the forest, where he was 
left to die of dow torture ; in which condition Bob 
had BO strangely discovered him. Now the grati- 
tude of the young Japanese toward his rescuer 
knew no bounds, and he would gladly have given 
his life to eerve him. 

When the IHendthip reached Honolulu, her cabin 
steward, who had been for Bome time ailing, became so 
seriously ill that he was seat on shore for treatment, 
and being Btill unfit for duty at the time of aaUing 
was left helund. To the vacancy thus made Katto 
was promoted, much to his own satisfaction, as well 
as that of his friend Bob. Nor did the ship's offi- 
cers, who thus gained a better service than any 
haretofoie rendered in the Friend»hip*» cabin, ever 



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THE OTHEB SIDE OP THE WORLD 117 

find caase to regret having rescued from death this 
deftJianded, capable, and always cheerful son of old 
Japan. 

Captain Endioott, with a desire to visit the for- 
bidden kingdom, had intended, when he first took 
Katto on board, to make his return to his own country 
an excuse for touching at some Japanese port on his 
way to Ghina. Later, however, he decided to forego 
this pleasure for the sake of retaining the best 
steward he had ever shipped. When he exphuned this 
to Katto and asked if he were willing to remun in 
his present position for the voyage, whidi would not 
end until the return of the ship to Salem, he was 
somewhat surprised at the young fellow's ready 
affirmative. His surprise was lessened, however, by 
Katto's reason, for this given in his funny broken 
English. 

" My go if Bob go, anywhere," he said. " P'raps 
my go my country, my peop " (here the lad drew 
his hand swiftly and significantly across his throat) 
" quick. My no * rike it." 

Then he went on to ezplun that by the law of his 
country every native was forbidden to leave it under 
penalty of death if detected in an attempt to do so, 
or if, having succeeded, he should attempt to return. 

Bob overheard a portion of this conversation, and 
that evening he questioned his friend concerning w 
strange a condition of affairs. 

1 EUto oouU not pTououuM tha MUr I. 



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lis A SON OF SATSUHA. 

*' Do you mean to say," he asked, " that if a poor 
chap gets blown to sea from your country, the same 
as you did, but finally gets picked up and carried 
back again, he would be killed for what he couldn't 
help?" 

** Tep. Head off," answered the young Jap, 
briskly, but with a cheerful chuckle as though at a 
good joke. 

" Do they kill foreigners too if they go ashore 7 " 

" Foreign man no go shore. No can." 

" I mean, supposii^ he was shipwrecked on your 
coast, and couldn't help himself. " 

" Head ofE, quick. Everybod, — Chinese, Engris, 
Mcric, Dutch, Spaniard, everybod. No can hab in 
Dai Nippon." 

" Well, that is the worst I ever heard of I " ex- 
claimed Bob. " No wonder you aren't anxious to go 
home. Another fellow told me tiiat same thing 
once, but I didn't quite believe him. What makes 
your people act that way ? " 

For answer Katto entered into a long explanation 
from which Bob gathered that at one time Japan was 
as open to foreigners as any other country, while its 
own people were free to travel abroad as they pleased. 
Then came missionaries, Spanish and Portugnese, 
who converted vast numbers of the natives to Roman 
Catholic Christianity. They were followed by Eng- 
lish and Dutch missionaries who planted the seed of 
another kind of Christianity that (hey called Protes- 



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THE OTHER SIDE OF THB WORLD 119 

fantisia. They also made thousands of co&verta. 
These two varieties of Christians, who were fighting 
and killing one another at sight everywhere else in 
the world, extended their quarrels to Japan until 
its devoted islands became the scene of as bloody 
religious wars and persecutions as are recorded in 
history. 

At the same time hordes of the lowest class of 
adventurers from every part of Europe flocked to 
the country like foul birds attracted by the scent of 
blood. Finally a deep-liud plot to overthrow the 
government and divide Japan among several foreign 
powers was discovered. 

Then the Japanese, realizing their imminent peril, 
rose under lyeyasu, the greatrat of their fighting 
Daimios, determined to stamp oat this throng of 
murderers and anarchists. They overthrew the 
Christians in several pitched battles, killed them by 
the hundred tiiousand, drove out the priests, and 
forbade them to return under penalty of deatb. A 
little later, or in 1624, this sentence of expulsion 
was extended to all foreigners, and at the same time 
all natives w«:« forbidden to leave Uie country. To 
render this almost impossible all large sea-farii^ 
Japanese vessels were destroyed and an edict was 
issued that thereafter none but sm^ coasting junks 
of one universal pattern should be built. 

Thus did Japan purge herself of the foreign devils 
who came so near to destroying her, and for two 



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no A SOS 07 SATSUKA. 

hoadred and fifty years she remained praotdoally 
sealed to the oater world. During that time, how- 
ever, t^e Dutch, by submitting to the most degrad- 
ing restrictions, were allowed to retain a trading 
station on a tiny island off Nagasaki. To this they 
were rigorously confined, and it m^ht be visited by 
but one ship in each year. The Chinese held a 
BJtnilftr privilege, and might send one junk annually 
to Nagasaki. At the same time no person coming 
on these vessels was allowed to land on Japanese 
soil or to see anything of the country. 

When Katto finally succeeded in conveying a 
crude idea of all this to his friend. Bob declared that, 
under the circumstances, he didn't blame the Japa 
for hating foreigners and keeping their country to 
themselves. At the same time he imagined that, 
just because it had been shut up for so long, it mmt 
be the most interesting land in all the world to visit, 
and wished more than ever that he might some time 
have the chance. From that moment he became an 
ardent student of the Japanese language with the 
ever-patient Katto as teacher. And very soon their 
conversations were carried on in a polyglot of 
English and Japanese that none but themselves 
could understand. 

Having taken in a quantity of sandalwood at the 
Sandwich Islands, the Friend»Mp again spread her 
tireless wings and slipped away into the vast Pacific 
solitudes. For two months she sailed steadily west- 



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THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD 191 

ward with only gky and water to be seen until even 
a naked rock rising from the ocean would have 
appeared to our farm-bred lad one of the most beauti- 
ful of Bights. The novelty of life on shipboard had 
worn away, and he was sick for the feel of earth 
under his feet, the green of grass and of trees, the 
Bmell of land, and the taste of ite fruits. 

Sixty days out from Honolulu the joyous cry of 
" land ho I " rang through the ship, and every one 
who could be spared from the deck mounted into the 
rigging to gaze at a few distant specks which as they 
drew nearer resolved themselves into islands. 

"Do they belong to Japan?" asked Bob of the 
second mate. 

" Bless your ignorance, no," laughed Mr. Bany. 
" One would think you had got Japan on the brain 
to hear you talk. Why, lad, them's the Bashees, and 
they lie a good two hundred and fifty miles south of 
iiie nearest island to which Japan has even a shadow 
of a claim. The sight of them means that we've 
crossed the Pacific, though, and now nothing but the 
China Sea, or a matter of ten more days, lies betwixt 
us and the land of pig-tails." 

According to the mate's prediction ten days later 
saw the Friendship lying off Whampoa in the muddy 
stream of the Canton river, surrounded by a fleet of 
the queerest-looking boats in the world. Into them 
she was discharging a mixed cargo of furs, sandal- 
wood, and American goods, and at the same time 



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1» A SOB OF SAT8DHA 

taking in silks, tea, nankeeoB, rice, and other Chinesa 
products for Singapore. Another month found her 
at anchor off that busy port amid a great fleet of 
ships representing every mercantile nation of the 
world. 

From Singapore she sailed with a full specie cheat 
and empty hold for the northern end of the great 
island of Sumatra, where, at a place called Qualla 
Battoo, she was to load pepper for Salem. 

She had now been from home nearly a year, and 
among her seasoned crew there was no more aotive 
or efficient seaman than the lad who had come on 
board ten months earlier as a " hayseed." 



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CHAPTER XV 

A MALAY WITH GBAT ETB8 

Until 1795 the pepper trade of the world was in 
the hands of the English and Dutch. Then the 
Americans went into the business, and very early in 
the nineteenth century were handling more pepper 
than all the others put together. 

A Yankee skipper, Jonathan Cames by name, com- 
manded a schooner that in 1793 fitted out at Salem 
for a trading voyage to the East Indies. Having 
drifted as far as the port of Bencoolen in southern 
Sumatra, and while wondering what cargo he had 
best take in for his return voyage, Captain Cames 
overheard a bit of conversation between two English 
skippers that gave him his first idea that pepper was 
to be had very cheaply somewhere to the northward. 
He at once sailed away and went poking aloag the 
uncharted coast in search of sach a place. At Fa- 
dang be found enough pepper that had been brought 
there in proas to load his little vessel, and learned 
that the source of supply was still farther to the 
northward. 

On his homeward voy^e, Captain Cames was so 
unfortunate as to lose his schooner in the West 
Indies, but. making his own way back to Salem, he 



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IM A SON OF SATSUHA 

told bis owners of his discovery in Sumatra ; and, on 
condition of his keeping the secret from all othen, 
they fitted him out with a ship called the JRagah^ kbA 
sent him off again to the far East. 

This time, instead of looking for a cargo at Padang, 
the Yankee skipper 'sailed boldly northward through 
unknown and uncharted waters, amid a myriad of 
islands and submerged reefe, along a hostile coast, 
until at length, away up at the northern end of the 
great island, he found the most extensive pepper 
region of the world. For 918,000 he loaded his ship 
with a cargo that sold in Salem, some five months 
later, for $126,000, or at a profit of seven hundred 
per cent. At this all Salem became wildly excited, 
and every one wanted to know where the wonderful 
cargo came from. But neither Captain Games nor 
his owners would tell, and every one of the Ragah't 
crew had been promised a lay in the next voyage if 
he held his tongue. So the secret was kept, and ^ain 
the lucky ship sailed away for the pepper coast on 
the other side of the world. 

Several other vessels were fitted out to follow her 
and discover where she went, but Captain Cames gave 
them the slip, and they were forced to return home 
again without the coveted knowledge. So well was 
this golden secret retained that not until five years 
later had it become generally known. Early in the 
new century, however, a score of ships from Salemi, 
Boston, and other New England ports were engaged 



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A HALAT WITH QRAY BTBS lU 

in the lucrativa trade, and Yankee skippers had be- 
come aa familiar with the dangerous coast of Suinatra 
as they were with that of Cape Cod. 

This trade was continued for nearly forty years, 
during which time no American man-of-war was ever 
seen in those far-away waters, and the Malays did not 
believe such a thing existed. They had seen the 
fighting ships of the English, Dutch, Spaniards, 
French, and Portuguese; even the war- junks of China 
occasitmally cruised to that point ; but so far as the 
natives knew, the flag of stars and stripes was borne 
only by merchantmen. Accordingly, while willing 
enough to trade with Americans, they had conceived 
s profound contempt for them. 

While most of the Yankee ships sailed direct from 
their home ports for Sumatra hy way of the Cape 
of Good Hope, Captain Endicott, who was an expe- 
rienced pepper trader, had, as we know, come by the 
Horn on this present voyage, and had already done 
a good bit of shrewd tradii^ on the way. By this 
he had accumulated a large sum of money above 
expenses, and this was snugly bestowed in a stout 
chest that he kept in his own room. 

Qualla Battoo was a large and important settle- 
ment, protected by several palisaded forts mounting 
a great number of swivels and some heavy guns. 
They were located on both sides of a small river 
that flowed tumultuously down from a range of lofty 
mountains, rising above jungle-covered foothills a 



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UB A SON OF SATStJHA 

few leagues back from the town. On tbeix elevated 
tftbleHands the pepper was grown, and it was brought 
to the coast on rafts of bamboo, akilfolly navigated 
down the impetuous torrent. 

On the pahn-f ringed beach the vast green rollers 
of the Indian Ocean ceaselessly thundered in foam- 
ing cataracts. Only where the river forced its way 
through tiieir serried ranks might boats, expertly 
handled, pass to and ho. There being no harbor, 
the ship lay at anchor in an open roadstead, half a 
mile off shore, and her cai^o must be brought off in 
small boats through the surf. 

No sooner was the anchor down, sails furled, and 
awnings stretched fore and aft, as some protection 
against the almost intolerable heat, than a well- 
manned proa from the shore dashed alongside. In 
it was the principal rajah of the town, who was an 
old-time acquaintance of Captain Endicqtt, together 
with a fierce-looking Malay, who was a stranger. 
These two, allowed to come on board, were at once 
taken into the cabin for refreshments and a trade 
talk, but their attendants were compeUed to remain 
in their own boat. 

After a short space the strange Malay reappeared 
on deck alone and strolled leisurely forward, closely 
scrutinizing every detail of the ship's armament as 
he went. 

Bob Whiting was leaning on the forecastle rail, 
gazing landward over the mighty rollers, across the 



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A MALAT WITH QRAT ETES UT 

iftwiling white of the surf, at the qiuuntly peaked 
I00& of the town, half-disclosed amid columnar 
ttunks of stately palms, or rising from glowing 
masses of riotoos tropic bloom. Beyond them 
stretched the black-green of the jungle, and still 
farther inland were uplifted the great mountains 
bathed in blue haze that suggested coolness. A 
year ago Bob had been batUing with New England 
snowdrifts, and now he was sizzling in equatorial 
heat. 

It was BO intense that it blistered paint and caused 
the pitch of deck seams to simmer and bubble. 
Other members of the crew lay gaspii^ in shaded 
places, and Bob was the only one of them all who 
seemed interested in the beautiful scenery outspread 
before them. It was a typical bit of these tropics 
he had so longed to visit, but that was not why he 
found it so interesting. He had seen enough of the 
tropics and already longed for a change. Qualla 
Battoo*s chief charm for him lay in the fact that 
it marked one end of the Toyage, and from there the 
Friendtkip would be homeward bound. 

How he thrilled with the thought, and how desir- 
able the farm that he had once hated now seemed. 
He wished he knew how Stickney was getting along, 
and what " Skippy " Barstow and the other boys 
were doing ; who was helping dear little Hetty Lee 
home through the snowdrifts. " Whoever it is, 
I don't believe she will ki^ him as she did me," 



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IM A SOS OF 8ATSCHA. 

thought the lad, and his sun-tanned face flushed at 
the recollection. Then, as the unbearable heat 
vrarned him to seek a place of shade, he exclaimed 
aloud : — 

" Oh dear I I Tridi I was shovelling a path through 
the snow in Farmer Duttou's back yard at this very 
minnte." 

As Bob uttered these words he turned, and was 
startled to find standing close beside bim a white- 
tnrbaned Malay, one of the two whom he had seen 
enter the cabin a short time before. 

The stranger was staring at him with an intent- 
ness that was disconcerting, but Bob returned his 
gaze with interest. The man's hair was concealed 
beneath his turban, but his face was brown, and his 
l^n mustache was jet-black. He was clad in a loose 
robe of spotless white, girded about his waist by a 
crimson sash, through which was thrust the crooked 
blade of a jewel-hilted Malay kris. It was a striking 
costume, and one weU calculated to arrest the atten- 
tion of a lad from far-away New England; but Bob 
was paying no attention to it. He was gazing 
straight into the man's face and trying to recall if 
among all the Malays he had already met there was 
another with gray eyes. 

Only for a moment did the two stare at each 
other, and then the man passed on, strolling leis- 
urely aft to the poop deck, while Bob sought a place 
bf shade in which he might dream of snowdrifts. 



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A HALAT WITH GRAT ETSS 139 

All arraDgemeDts for the purchase and loading of 
a cargo of pepper were made that day, and on . the 
next the work of delivery was begun. The desired 
commodity was to be brought off from shore in the 
ship's own boats, but they were to be manned by 
crews of Malays who understood the surf. 

Captain Endicott, taking Mr. Barry and four men 
with him, went ashore to weigh the pepper and 
superintend its lading. The warehouse in which 
they labored stood on a bank of the rirer a few 
hundred yards from its mouth. 

The first boat was loaded and sent off in charge of 
its Malay crew. As the Yankee skipper stood in 
front of the warehouse watching its progress, he was 
in torn the focus of hundreds of glittering eyes, that 
peered at him from innumerable places of conceal- 
ment. Unconscious of these, and puffing calmly at a 
fine Sumatra cheroot jnst presented to him by the 
rajah. Captain Bndicott followed the course of his 
boat to the mouth of the river. He was somewhat 
surprised to see it run ashore at one of the points 
forming the entrance and take aboard a. number of 
men ; but believing this extra force necessary to force 
a pass^^ throagh the rising surf, he turned back to 
superintend the weighing. At the same time he 
bade one of his men watch carefully the movements 
of the boat and report anything unusual. 

The boat was seen to run alongside the ship and 
its crew to clamber on board. They disappeared 



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UO A SON OF BAT8UHA 

orer the side, and for a time ^1 was qai«t. Sud- 
denly the watcher, who had heen gazing seaward 
with a llBtlessnesB caused by the oveipowering heat, 
was startled by seeing a man leap from the Friend- 
thip't rail into the aea. He was followed in quick 
SQCcession by three others, and at the same time a 
faint tumult of yells and shrieks was borne land- 
ward. 

The man sprang to the warehouse door. "Some- 
thing's gone wrong aboard the ship, sir," he reported, 
and Captain Endicott, who was erer on the alert for 
treachery, instantly ordered all hands into the second 
boat, that still lay beside the warehouse platform. 

" Give way for your lives 1 " he cried, as, with a 
great shove, he sent the heavy craft well out into 
the stream. 

At the same moment a throng of armed men 
rushed, with yells of rage and with brandished 
weapons, toward the place the Americans had just 
quitted. 



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CHAPTER XVI 

SEIZED BT FUCAIBS 

On the day that the Friendihip was to h^ia tak- 
ing in cargo, Bob Whitdng was detailed to keep tally 
of the pepper b^^ as they were lowered into the 
hold. Couaequeatly, when the first boat-load came 
alongside he was ready for duty vnih tally sheet and 
pencil in hand. As the boat approached, some com- 
ment was made on the unusual strength of its crew; 
but Mr. Knight said the extra huida were to work 
in the hold, and so qo suspicion was aroused. The 
mate did protest against the entire boat's crew com- 
ing on board, and made an efiFort to prevent s<nne of 
thran from clambering over the side ; but in one way 
or another twenty of them succeeded in passing him 
and gaining the deck. As they were apparently 
unarmed and instantly scattered to difierent parts of 
the ship as though to gratify their curiosity, he let 
them alone and devoted his whole attention to get- 
ting the pepper aboard is safety. 

The heavy bags were swinging in, and Bob, stand- 
ing beside the main hatch, had begun to make his 
entries, when the consciousness of a human presence 
close at hand caused him to look op. The gray-eyed 
Malay whom he had noticed the day before stood be- 



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las A SON OF SATSUMA 

side bim, apparently interested in the items he was 
jotting down. At the moment of noting this, Bob 
also caught a glimpse of three white-clad figures 
advancing with the noiseless swiftness of panthers 
toward the mate, who leaned on the poop railing, 
with his back turned to them. Bob tried to ntter a 
ghont of warning, but it was stifled by a stunning 
blow that felled him to the deck. At the same 
instant three daggers were plunged into the mate's 
back. He whirled about and made an effort to de- 
fend himself, but was quickly done to death by his 
cowardly foes. 

Two sailors near at hand attempted to rush to his 
assistance, but were overtaken and kiUed by the 
swarming pirates. Four of the Americans thus sur- 
prised, unarmed and confronted by overwhelming 
numbers, leaped into the sea, where they struck out 
for land, with little hope of reaching it alive. Nor 
had they any hope of escaping if they should gain 
the shore, for, lifted by the inroUing seas, they could 
make out hundreds of yelling figures dancing franti- 
cally on the beach. They also saw a ship's boat, fol- 
lowed by a fleet of canoes, pulling in their direction. 
It might contain friends or foes, — they could not tell 
which, — but as it offered the only visible' chance of 
escape, they swam so as to intercept it. 

A few minutes later they were dr^^ed aboard, 
and with feelings of profoundest thankfulness found 
themselves among friends. Captain Endicott, Mr. 



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SEIZED BT nEATES 138 

Barry, and the men with them bad escaped the 
shower of missiles hurled at the boat from the river 
bank, as by a miracle. Then they had ui^d their 
craft forward with the strength of desperation, in a 
double effort to elude the warriors swarming on the 
beach and gain the ship before she should fall wholly 
into the hands of the pirates. Now it was seen that 
to recapture her would be impossible. Nor did it 
seem that they could long escape the fleet of proas 
already dashing through the surf in hot pursuit. 

In this emei^ncy Captain Endioott headed his 
boat to the southward ; and, with two men at each 
oar working for their lives, she was driven down the 
coast at racing speed. At first all the proas followed 
her ; then one gave up the chase as bein^ unprofit- 
able, and stood away for the ship, where much gain 
was to be had. Its movement was instantly followed 
by all the others, none of the Malays beii^ willing 
to relinquish the looting of an American ship for l^e 
prospect, however good, of killing or even capturing 
a handful of white^kinned saUors. 

So the boat was left to go where it pleased, and a 
few minutes later the pirates who had so treacher- 
ously captured tiie ship, and who were now yelling 
and gesticulating tidings of their victory from bul- 
wark and rigging, were joined by a swarm of their 
fellows. Getting up her anchor, the Malays let the 
IHettdahip drift inshore till she grounded, and then 
began to strip her of everything movable. 



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134 A SON OF SATSnUA 

Among the first things taken was her specie chest, 
which was found and carried away hy the gray^eyed 
pirate, who had acted as leader throughout the whole 
affair. Its contents were divided between him and the 
rajah, each of them also taking one of the two prison- 
ers who had been captured, — Bob Whiting and the 
cabin steward. The rajah took the latter, willingly 
yielding the one white captive to his fellow-conspira- 
tor. Everything else in the ship was given over to 
the rabble, who stripped her so bare that they 
even carried away her brass work, and whatever 
copper bolts they could tear from her timbers. 

When Bob Whiting recovered his senses, he found 
himself lying on a bamboo couch in a room deliciously 
cool and dark. Some one was fanning him, while 
another person gently urged upon him a cooling 
drink. His head had been bathed, and bandaged 
with aromatic salves, while his attire had been 
changed, so that he was now enveloped in a robe of 
softest silk. He tried to recall what had happened 
and how he came in so strange a position, but the 
effort was beyond his strength, and he fell asleep 
instead. 

Upon his next awaking, attendants were on hand 
to bathe him and robe him in fresh linen. After 
that, they fed him and gave him pleasant drinks. 

When everything possiUe had be«i done for the 
lad's comfort, his silent attendants disappeared, leav- 
ing him alone with his own bewildering reflections. 



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SEIZED BT PIBATES lU 

He could not im^ine where he was, why he was 
treated with so much consideration, nor what had 
happened. He had a confused idea that the first 
mate of the Friendthip had been in some sort of 
danger, but could not remember what it was. Also 
he felt so weak that he wondered if he had been ill, 
and if so, for how loi^. 

While he lay thus, racking his brain to account 
for his present situation, a tall white-robed Malay 
entered the room, and approaching the couch, sat 
down cross-le^ed on a mat. For a few moments 
he remained silent ; regarding the lad attentively. 
Bob also kept silence, for, much as he wished to 
ask questions, he did not know how, being ignorant 
of the Malay tongue. But at length the visitor 
spoke, and, to Bob's amazement, addressed him in 
English, saying : — 

" Well, young man, how are you feeling now ? " 

** Pretty comfortable, thank yon, sir," replied the 
lad. " But tell me — " 

" Wait a moment. I want you to answer a few 
questions before you ask any," interrupted the 
Malay. "Tell me who you are, where you came 
from, how you happened to be on board the Friend- 
thipt luid in fact, all about yourself. Then perhaps 
I will tell you what you want to know." 

As Bob had no reason for concealing any facts of 
his own history, he readily told all that he knew 
concerning himself, and the stranger listened with- 



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laS A 80K OF SAT8UMA 

out comment until the brief tale was ended. Then 
he said : — 

" So you are English and not an American, after all. " 

" No, sir, I am not," replied Bob, hotly, for he was 
particularly proud of the country that he claimed as 
his own. " I was bom <hi an American ship under the 
American flag, and have been brought op in America. 
I love the country, and shall become one of its citizens 
as so<»i as I am old enough." 

" And be a poor miserable dog of a sailor for the 
rest of your days j or it you elect to live ashore, 
a poor miserable dog of a farmhand," sneered the 
other. "What is the name of the old Yankee farmer 
you said you worked for before you ran away to sea?" 

" Dutton," replied Bob. 

" Just so. Well, didn't old Dutton used to beat 
you ? " '' 

" Once in a while," admitted Bob. 

" And he'd do it again if he had the chance. And 
he'd keep yon from learning anything except farm 
work for fear you would get too smart for him. 
It's the same way on shipboard. I know, for I've 
sailed in both English and American ships. You'd 
be nothing hut a slave all your life in either place, 
earning a bare existence by doing a slave's work, 
with blows and abuse thrown in. Now I don't 
mind saying that I took a fancy to you when I 
first saw you aboard the Friendship, which is one 
reason I had you brought here and cared for, instead 



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SEIZED BT PIBATE8 13T 

of leaving you to be killed by tbe oiggart who cap- 
tured her." 

" Captured the Fnendthip ! " exclumed Bob. 
*' Who captured her, and why ? What haa become 
of her and her people? " 

" Never mind the ship just now," replied the other. 
"Perhaps we will talk of her another time. Ab I 
was saying, one reason why I saved your life was 
that I liked your looks. Another is that I want 
some smart young white fellow like you for a sort of 
a private secretary, and believe you'll fill the bill. 
If you want to take the berth on a five-years con- 
tract, I will pay you one thousand dollars gold a 
year, and when your time is up, give yon enough 
more to make you independent of the world for the 
rest of your life." 

"What is your busiuess? " asked Bob. 

"Well, I'm a sort of a trader, and have become, in 
« way, king of this coast, so that I do with it pretty 
much as I please. I am making money hand over 
fist. So fast, in fact, that I've got to have some one 
I can trust to look after it, and of course I prefer to 
have one of my own color." 

" Then you are not a Malay ? " 

"To all intents and purposes I am, and I want 
some one who speaks English to interpret for me 
when I go aboard Yankee ships, or perhaps to make 
trade talk in case of my absence." 

" Where is the FriendMp f " asked Bob. 



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ISS A SON OF 8ATBDHA 

" Hard and fast i^pround just off this town." 

" And what has become of her crew ? " 

" Oh, they went off in their boats all right, and 
will get picked up somewhere down the coast." 

" You didn't kill them, then ? " 

"Certainly not, I don't kiU anybody unless I'm 
compelled to. I only wanted possession of the ship." 

" Then you are a pirate." 

" Oh, no. I only take fnnn an American ship, now 
and then, a small portion of the money the Yankees 
have made cot of us. That same FriendtHp, for 
instance, has paid for herself a dozen times over with 
what she has taken from this very coast." 

" Aren't you afraid the American government will 
send a man-of<war out here to punish those who have 
taken part in her capture? " 

"Not much, I'm not," sneered the other. "The 
Yankees are traders first, last, and always. They 
haven't got any navy worth speaking of, to begin with, 
and then it would cost too much to send one of their 
old tubs away out here on so trifling an errand. But 
that's neither here nor there. How about my [oopo- 
sition? Will you accept it? " 

" No, sir, I will not," answered Bob, with unex- 
pected energy. " I'm pretty poor, and I don't sup- 
pose I have much chance of rising in the world, but 
I'd rather stay as I am and accept the consequences, 
than to possess all the gold any pirate like you can 
gather in between now and doomsday." 



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CHAPTER XVH 

TWO SIDES OF LIFE IN SCTUATBA 

*• That's pretty bold talk," said the man whom 
Bob bad idieady rec<^mzed as the gray-eyed Malay 
seeo OQ board the ship. " Do yon know that your 
life ian't worth two copper cents in this place, and 
that by saying the word I could have you put to 
death in any way I chose?" 

" I know," replied Bob, " that no matter what you 
can do in that line, you won't do it." 

"Why not?" 

" Because to kill a helpless prisoner who has never 
done you any harm would be cowardly, and I have 
heard it said that persons with gray eyes are never 
cowards, no matter how mean they may be in other 
ways." 

The man actually laughed. ** You are as impudent 
as yon are keen-witted," he said, " and ^most per- 
suade me to raise my bid for your services." 

" It wouldn't be of any use," replied Bob. " I've 
s^d I wouldn't turn pirate, and I won't, not for all 
the gold in Sumatra." 

" Very well," said the man, " if gold won't work, 
well have to try something else, more effective per- 



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1*0 A SON OP 8AT8DMA 

hapa, but less pleasaDt to take." With thia be rose 
from bis mat and left the room. 

A little later, Bob, desirous to know somefJiing 
more of bis surroundings, left bis coucb and, 
stepping to tbe doorway, cautiously drew aside its 
curtuQ of finely split bamboo. He found himself 
gazing out on a shaded veranda, and directly at two 
balf-naked Malay guards wbo, with drawn daggers, 
bad aprnng to tbeir feet at the first movement of the 
curtain. With fierce gestures they motioaed him back, 
and be hastily withdrew. 

That single glance outside had, however, shown 
his loxorious prison house to be enclosed by a stout 
wall of palisaded logs, as well as assure him that be 
was very closely guarded. 

While he lay with half-closed eyes, wondering bow 
be might escape from this unpleasant predicament, 
and watching curiously the soft-footed attendants 
wbo came every little while to do what they might 
for bis comfort, he was startled by tbe aj^earance in 
his room of a covered litter borne by four men. With 
it came the gray-eyed Malay, wbo said : — 

'* My young friend, I wish you to accompany mfl 
to my country place, a few miles inland, and fearii^ 
that you are not yet strong enough to ride on horse- 
back, I have provided this more comfortable mode of 
transportation. Will you then be so kind as to enter 
this litter, that we may set forth at once 7" 

Realizing that resistance or even protest would be 



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TWO SmGS OF LIFE IN SUMATRA 141 

worse than useleas. Bob did as required, the bliods 
of the litter were closed, and he was borue sway 
without having the least idea of direction or of the 
country through which he was passing. He only 
knew by the sound of many voices and by the fre- 
quent change of litter-bearers, that he was accom- 
panied by a strong escort, some of whom were on 
horseback. It was a tedious journey that lasted 
well into the night ; but when it was concluded and 
Bob was permitted to alight from his conveyance, 
he E^^n found himself in a spacious and luxuriously 
furnished apartment. Soon afterwards, a bountiful 
and well'Oooked meal was served, at which Bob had 
hia gray-eyed host for company. The latter encour- 
aged our lad to talk of himself, and seemed particu- 
larly interested in his descriptJons of New England 
farm life. That night Bob slept so soundly and well 
that in the morning he awoke greatly refreshed and 
with his strength very nearly restored. 

After breakfast, which, like the meal of the even- 
ii^ before, was eaten in company with his host, the 
latter invited him to ride over the estate. 

" It may interest yon," he said, " to see how pep- 
per is grown." 

For several hours they rode across the great plan- 
tation, which occupied the whole of an extensive 
plateau, well up on a mountain side. Large fields 
cleared of their jungle growth were covered with 
pepper vines, trained on stout poles, after the man* 



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la A SON OF SATSUUA 

ner of hope. These were heing tended hj gangs of 
slaves who, notwithstanding the fierce heat of the 
sun, worked nearly naked, and were driven around 
by taskmasters with pig<fikin whips. 

Other gangs were employed in clearing away sec- 
tions of forest for new fields. In them were men of 
every color excepting white, and all wore the appear- 
ance of abject misery. Bob pitied them from the 
bottom of his heart, and the sight of their wretched- 
ness took much of the pleasure from what would 
otherwise have proved a delightful morning. His 
affable host, with an apparent desire to show him 
everything worth seeii^, even led him through 
the filthy barracoona in which his slaves were 
housed and guarded at night, a part of the show 
that Bob thought might very well have been 
omitted. 

When they finally returned to the main dwelling- 
house of the estate, a spacious broad-verandahed bun- 
galow, set high on stone foundation posts, they were 
refreshed with cooling drinks before sitting down to 
lunch. 

These several meals had been eaten from tables 
provided with knives, forks, spoons, and glasses of 
European make, and at them the guests sat in com- 
fortable chairs, — all of which waa so unusual among 
Malays that probably not a score of Sumatran houses 
could boast similar conveniences. Bob did not real- 
ize this at the time, nor could he then appreciate 



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TWO SID^ OF LIFE IN 8UHATBA 14S 

at their real value the luxuries of his aorel sur- 
roundings. 

When lunch was over, and while Bob was consid- 
ering what it all meant, as well as what would hap- 
pen next, hia host tilted back in his chair, lighted a 
cheroot, and gazed at him for several seconds before 
speaking. Then he said : — 

" My young friend, I have shown you two sides of 
life in Sumatra, the pleasant and the unpleasant, the 
comfortable and uncomfortable. A choice between 
them BOW rests with yoQ. Which will you take ? " 

" I don't think I exactly understand you, sir," stam- 
mered poor Bob, filled with a foreboding of evil. 

"Then I will explain more fully. "By the for- 
tune of war yon have fallen into my hands, and I 
may exact from you any form of service that pleases 
me. Desiring an English-speaking companion who 
is at the same time sufBciently intelligent and well 
educated to be useful in my business, I have offered 
you a confidential position to be held for five years. 
It would be an easy, well-paid berth with plenty of 
chances for acquiring a fortune, and while filling it 
yon would be surrounded by every comfort, not to 
say laxnry. Ton have refused this position once, 
but I would not accept your refusal as final until I 
had shown you the alternative." 

" And that," said Bob, " is — " 

" The life of a slave laborer in my pepper-fields," 
concluded the other, sternly. 



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U4 A SON OF 8ATSU11A 

Bob tamed pale and his course very nearly failed 
him as he recalled the hopeless miaery that he had 
seen that morning. 

" If I should accept the pontion you offer, would 
I be expected to aid in the capture and robbery of 
American Teasels 7 " he asked. 

" You vould be expected to obey without question 
or hesitation any order that I should give you," was 
the answer. 

"Then," said our lad, hia face flushing, and a 
brave light shining in his honest eyes, *' I'll stick to 
what I have already said. Even to save my life I 
won't turn pirate." 

For a moment the man made no reply to this bold 
defiance. Only his eyes hardened as they penetrated 
the depths of that other pair of gray eyes Uiat so 
unflinchingly returned his gaze. 

All at once both started and listened. The silence 
had been broken by a distant sound of heavy firing. 
Apparently both artillery and miisketry were en- 
gaged, and it was evident that something very seri- 
ous was taking place in the neighborhood of Qualla 
Battoo. 

The master of the estate clapped his hands, and a 
servant appeared as though by magic, received an 
order, and hastened away. Three minutes passed, 
during which time those who still sat at table lis- 
tened to the far-away but sustained sounds of con- 
flict, without speaking. 



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TWO SIDES OF LIFE IN SUMATRA lU 

Then oame a clatter of hoofs outside. The mas- 
ters horse waited to hear him at breabueck speed 
down the moontaiu side, and his escort were already 
in saddle. Two overseers, armed with pistpls, 
crooked daggers, and the whips that indicated their 
office, entered the room. The host pointed toward 
hia yonng guest, and the overseers, seizing him, 
dragged him away in the direction of a barraooon. 
As Bob was thrust in through its horrid doorway, a 
cavalcade of horsemen dashed past, and a mocking 
voice called out, in the last English our lad was to 
hear for many a day : — 

" Good-by, Yankee. Hope you'll enjoy yourself I " 
Captun Endicott, with the sorvivors of his crew, 
rowed their heavy boat twenty-five miles from the 
place where the Ihiendskip had been captured, and 
early on the following morning reached another 
pepper port, where they were bo fortunate as to find 
three American vessels, the Jamet Monroe, Q-ovemor 
^Endicott, and Palmer. These vessels were armed 
with muskets and a few light guns, as was the fash- 
ion of that day and each carried a crew of fifteen 
men. Their commanders became very angry as they 
listened to Captain Endicott's story of piratical 
outrage and murder, and promptly determined to 
try and recover his ship. So the little fleet sailed 
away for Qualla Battoo, and anchored off that town 
the same evening. The next morning they sent 
ashore by a friendly native a demand that the 



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148 A SON OF SATSUMA 

Fritndthip be given up to them, and received an 
inaolent reply from tiie rajah to the effect that shs 
would never be surrendered, but that they vers 
welcome to take her if they could. 

Upon this, the three vessele were worked in as 
close aa possible to the unfortunate ship, which 
svnrmed with armed natives. Soon after noon, 
they opened fire on her with all the guns they could 
bring to bear, and it was promptly returned, not 
only by the friendthip's battery, but also by the 
much heavier guns of the QuaUa Battoo forts. 
After an hoar or so of this bombardment, which did 
no serious damage to either side, the Americans 
despatched three boats, manned by eager volunteers, 
to board the stranded vessel. 

As these dashed toward her, their crews yelling 
with excitement, the Malays on the Friendahip 
greeted them with several volleys of musketry, so 
Ul-umed that no one was hit. Seeing that they 
oould not thus stop the irrepressible Yankee ad- 
vanoe, and being further demoralized by the explo- 
sion of an open keg of powder, from which they 
were loading their guns, the pirates became panic* 
stricken, and dropping over the opposite side of 
the ship tike so many rstfl, abandoned her and 
swam ashore. 

A few hours later she had been kedged oS the 
choal and restored to her own crew, safe and sound 
though stripped to the bones. In this predicament. 



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TWO SIDES OF LtFB IN SUMATRA. 147 

and without money to purchase a cargo, Captain 
Endicott refitted as best he could, borrowed enough 
stores to carry him back to the United States, and 
set sail for Salem, which port he reached in safety 
some mont^ later. 



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CHAPTER XVin 

m THB PEPPEiB FIELDS 

Many months digged slowly by, and the end of 
each one found Bob Whiting stiU toiling, without 
reward or hope of relief, in the pepper fields of 
tite man whom his fellow-slsves called El Pavura. 
It was the most terrible period of our lad's life, 
sod was filled with suffering, both physical and 
mental, that at times seemed unbearable. He was 
clad in n^s, and every part of his body was blistered 
until burned black by the tropic sun. He did not 
mind the actual labor that he was called upon to 
perform ; for the stints given him were no greater 
than those allotted to his much weaker fellows, and 
he could easily have done twice as much had he been 
so inclined. Nor did he suffer for lack of food, the 
slaves being allowed an abundance of rice, yams, 
mangoes, and such other vegetables and fruits as 
were grown on the estate. 

His great trials were the filth amid which he was 
compelled to eat and sleep, the lack of companion- 
ship, and the awful hopeleaaness of his poaition. He 
could have made an escape if only he had known 
where to go, but he did not. So far as he was 
aware, there was not a man on the whole island 



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IK THE ^PPER PIELD8 IM 

vho would not kill him on aight, if he were known 
to be a runaway slave, or, at least, gladly assist at 
his reoaptore. The jungle was a labyrinth in which 
he might wander for weeks, without finding a place 
of exit, and it swarmed with fierce animals, includ- 
ing tigers, that would make short work of any un- 
armed man overtaken by darkness within ita deadly 
limits. 

But little news from the outside world ever found 
its way to the pepper regions, and none at all came 
to Bob, owing to his ignoranceof the language spoken 
by his associates. Life had become a mere existence 
divided into days of monotonous toil and nights of 
wretchedness. The only suffering meted out to his 
fellows that our lad escaped was the lash. This fell 
freely on the backs of all the other slaves, bat only 
once had it been lifted t^^ainst him. On the very first 
day of his servitude, rendered desperate by the blister- 
ing heat, he had quit work long enoi^h to plunge into 
the cooling waters of a stream that flowed through the 
field. An overseer, attempting to drive him back, 
raised a whip to strike him, when, with a ferocity bom 
of despair. Bob sprang at the man*s throat. He did 
not quite strangle his victim, but came so near it that 
after he had loosed his hold the man lay motionless 
for some minutes with lolling tongue and spasmodic 
gaspings for breath. After that, the "gringo," as 
Bob was called, was allowed to do pretty much as 
he pleased so far as the overseers were concerned. 



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180 A SON OF SATSUMA 

Thus it sometimes happened that when his stint of 
work was finished in half its allotted time, he would 
rest in the shade, dreaming of far-away New England, 
or trying to puzzle out some plan of escape from Iiia 
unhappy situation. 

He could think of but one, and that was entire 
submission to the will o£ the gray-ejed pirate who 
called himself his master. But each time that his 
thoughts returned to 13 Pavura, Bob would spring 
up and resume his work with clenched teeth and a 
renewed determination never to give in. **I will 
die first I " he would exclaim ; and that he meant 
exactly what he said he proved over and over again 
durii^ the term of his slavery. 

On the first day of every month El Pavura visited 
his estate to inspect its operations, and on each of 
these occasions he caused his one white slave to be 
brought into his presence. Every time the pro- 
gramme was the same. The man would ask: 
"Have yon had enough? Are yon ready to accept 
my ofEer? " and always the lad answered : " No." 

Then the two pairs of gray eyes, one belonging to 
the master in his cool linens and surrounded by every 
comfort, the other to the slave, unkempt, toilwom, 
and hopeless, would search each other's dept^ in 
which lay an inflexible obstinacy of will that only 
death could break. With that the interview would 
end, and the two would part, not to meet again for 
another moutii. 



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IN THE FBFPGR FIELDS 161 

It was only by these visits of his tyrant that Bob 
formed any idea of the lapse of 4ame.; for, in that 
region of perpetual summeT, he had not yet learned 
to distingmsh seasons by the wet and dry monsoons. 
He did not even know l^t two crops of pepper were 
produced in e&oh year, and was so puzzled by the 
rapid succession of planting, tiU^e, and harvest, 
that, but for £1 Pavura's visits, of which he kept 
mental account, he would have imagined his slavery 
to have lasted for two years instead of something 
less than one, when the time of his release came. It 
aU happened so quickly that one minute he was a 
slave, hopeless of escape, while the next he was free, 
with his slavery put forever behind him ; and the 
way of it was this : — 

All the slaves were allowed to lie by for two hours 
during the hottest part of the day, when no man 
might labor beneath the fierce sun-blast and retain 
his strengtii ; but Bob, working faster than any of 
the others, took double their time of rest, and this 
had become a custom. Thus, on a certain day, after 
his fellows had returned to their toll, as he lay doz- 
ing in the shade of a peepul tree, not far from a 
border of the field, his attention was attracted by 
the sound of his own name, uttered in a tone but 
little above a whisper. At first he thought he must 
be dreaming ; but f^in it came to him, distinct and 
unmistakable. 

" Who calls ? " be asked, keeping his voice within 



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Ut A SON OF BATSUUA 

boundB by a mighty effort, though Itmging to shout 
aloud in his excitement. 

" Sh-h I It is Katto, you frien. If you can make 
come with my veree easy, then we may go." 

Slowly, and without raising himself from his re- 
cumbent position. Bob crawled toward the voice, 
his heart beating furiously with hopeful excitement. 

Until this moment, he had heard nothing concern- 
ing his young Japanese friend, since the capture of 
the ship. He did not know that the latter had been 
made prisoner, nor even if he were alive or dead. 
Now, therefore, the voice of the faitiiful feUow came 
to him like that of an angel, fuU of hope and joyful 
promise. 

In the space of a few seconds the long-aeparated 
firiends were crouched side by side, clasping bands 
and gazing into each other's eyes. Those of the 
Yankee lad were filled with tears, nor were Katto's 
wholly free from moisture. They exchanged no word, 
only Katto whispered, " Come," and stooping low, 
they stole cautiously through tiie screening rows of 
friendly pepper-vines until they gained the jungle. 
Then Katto said ; — 

"Now mebbe we ran." 

And run they did, along a well-worn tnul that 
finally led them to a mountain torrent. In its shal- 
lows they waded down stream for nearly a mQe, until 
at a quiet pool they swam to the other aide, and 
Katto drew himself up Into a tree by means of 



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IN THE PBPFEB FIELDS lU 

oveThaDging branches. Of coarse Bob followed, and 
climbed to an upper limb that projected over a ledge 
of Tocfc some thirty feet abore the river. A cautious 
scramble up the face of the cliff brought them to a 
narrow opening, which in turn admitted them to a 
dimly lighted cavern, spacious enough for them to 
stand up and move freely about. 

" Hi t " exclaimed Eatto, speaking aloud for die first 
time, and bubbling over with triumphant laughter. 
" No kin ketch um now. Man no can. Dog no can. 
How you rike it, eh ? " 

" My dear fellow, I like it better than anything in 
all my life," cried Bob. "Better than I can ever 
tell you. Now tell me all about everything. Where 
is the Friendihip f How did you happen to be here ? 
How did you find me ? What are we going to do 
neit?" 

" Eat I " answered Katto, laconically, but still laugh* 
ing joyously. 

With this he produced a small store of provisions 
that he had previously concealed in the cavern, and, 
without awaiting a further invitation, Bob joined 
him in feasting on them. After that, Katto told 
briefly — for he still lacked an adequate command of 
English, and Bob had forgotten much of his Japanese 
— of what had happened since he was taken from the 
Friendahip to serve in the rajah's establishment. He 
had been harshly though not cruelly treated, and 
had picked up enough of the Malayan toi^ue to 



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lU A SOS OF SATSDMA 

comprehend most of what waa said to him. He told 
of the ship's recapture, and of her sailing away, 
though with how many of her or^nal company he 
did not know. When that happened he believed he 
was the only one left behind, for he had neither seen 
nor heard anything of his friend Bob since an hotir 
before the capture of the ship. 

It was months later before he discovered by 
the merest chance that a white captive had been 
brought ashore from the Friendthip and sent to the 
pepper fields. EI Pavura himself furnished the 
information, while dining with the rajah, and dis- 
cussing the obstinacy of his white captive, who 
chose the life of a slave rather than that of a pirate. 
From El Pavura's description of his prisoner, Katto 
felt certain that it must be his friend Bob, and bom 
that moment was determined to find him. As a 
preliminary step, he had run away and taken refuge 
with a neighboring lajah, called by the whites " Po 
Adam," who was said to be friendly to Americans. 
There he had been received with suspicion, and 
forced to serve Fo Adam for some time before gain- 
ing his confidence. At length he obtained permis- 
sion to go in search of his friend ; but had been 
obliged to come alone because none of Po Adam's 
people dared venture into the enemy's territory. 
But he had been told of the cavern in which tiiey 
were now hidden, and given directions how to reach 
it, as well as how to &Ld El Pavura's pepper estate. 



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IN THE FEPFEH FIELDS 166 

So he had coma, aad had at length succeeded in 
resouiiig his dear friend from slaveiy. 

That night the lads spent in the csTern, which 
formed a tunnel-Uke portion of a very narrow but 
deep and precipitous gorge, or seismic rent, that 
extended clear across a range of lofty hills. They 
found plen^ of dry wood and made fires on either 
side as a protection against wild beasts, and early 
the next morning Katto led the way to the farther 
end of the go^e, from which they would descend to 
the conntry of Po Adam. 

As they reached this point and looked out, the 
Tiew was so entrancing that Bob iosiated upon stop- 
ping to enjoy it. Far away, across the jungle-cov- 
ered hills and plain, he caught a sparkle of blue that 
he knew must be the ocean, and after the unhappy 
months just past during which he had been cut ofif 
from it, it seemed almost like a vision of home. 

As the two gazed at it in silence, each thinking 
of what lay beyond its leagues of blue, they were 
startled by a rustling in the jungle close at hand, 
and both sprang back to a place of concealment. A 
little later the head of a naked Malay armed with a 
spear came slowly into view, cautiously scanning 
the place where they lay, and almost at the same 
moment they caught the sound of voices coming 
from the rear. 



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CHAPTER XIX 
A DASH FOB VBEBDOH 

WHiZiK Katto had im^ned his obosen place of 
refQge to be so bidden from possible poiBoers tbat 
they would never discover it, tbia narrow gorge formed 
in tearing asunder the hills by some long>ago earth- 
quake was BO well known to the natives tbat it was 
often used as a short cut from one side of the range 
to the other. Thos it bad been one of the first 
places thought of by EI Pavura's overseers when 
they discovered the escape of their white slave and 
arranged to search for him. They had come far 
enough the night before to catch a reflectiim of the 
fires kindled by our lads, and two men had been 
hurried across the mountains to guard the outlet of 
the gorge. With the coming of dawn, those who re- 
mained behind wotild explore it from the other end. 
Now the cruel jaws of this well-set trap were about 
to close, and for a moment it seemed as though 
nothing could save oar unarmed young fugitives 
from capture. 

But Katto, quick-witted and full of expedients, 
picked up a pebble and a bit of rock the size of bis 
fist. He tossed the first so that it ^ould fall to 
one side of the warrior who was watching for them 



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A DASH FOR FBBSDOH IK 

to come forth, and instatitly transferred the bit of 
rock to bis right hand. Startled by the drop of the 
pebble, the man made a qaiok turn in that direction, 
and a moment later was felled to the ground hj 
Katto's second missile, which took him squarely on 
the ear. As he dropped, anotiier man sprang up 
beside him, only to receive and be overthrown 
by the msh of our lads as they dashed down the 
slope. 

In all this there was no outcry to alarm those who 
came behind, and who reached the outlet of the 
gorge a minute afterward, unconscious that any- 
thing had gone amiss with their plans, though much 
disappointed at not having discovered the fugitives, 
whom they were confident had passed that way. 
When, in casting about for the trail, they ran across 
their comrades, one still lying senseless and the 
other just recovering from the effects of his sudden 
overthrow, the latter declared they had been attacked 
by a war party numbering at least a score of armed 
men. Upon this the slave-hunters, who were but 
six in all, gave over their pursuit and hastened from 
so dangerous a locality, leaving our lads to parsue 
their flight unmolested. 

Thus it happened that on the following day, 
weary with travel, hungry, ragged to a degree, and 
torn by briers, tiiiey reached Po Adam's friendly 
fort. It took some time to convince him that Bob 
waa indeed an American, so brown was he, and so 



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in A SON OF SATSUMA 

eotirely different in appearaDce from any white man 
Po Adam had ever seen. When, however, his identity 
was established, the good-hearted rajah did every- 
thing in his power for his guest's comfort, and prom- 
ised to keep him in safety until the coming of some 
American ship to which he might he transferred. So 
Bob and Katto settled down to a period of inactive 
waiting, that was almost wholly spent on the beh- 
est point of Po Adam's fort, from which they could 
watch the sea. 

One day, while they were thus occupied, and were 
discussing what they should do if ever they escaped 
from that hated coast, they were startled by the 
distant sight of a large ship. At first they tiiought 
from her size that she might be a man-of-war, but as 
she drew nearer and they noted her stumpy top- 
masts, slack rigging, and the small number of her 
painted ports, Po Adam, who had been summoned to 
join them, pronounced her to be a merchant vessel, 
probably a large Indiaman. At the same time, the 
broad ensign floating lazily from her mizzen peak 
was a puzzle, since it was neither American, British, 
Dutch, French, Spanish, nor Portuguese, and they 
were equally certain that it belonged neither to 
China or Japan. After awhile the stranger passed 
from sight, working up the coast in the direction of 
Qualla Battoo, and leaving our lads bitterly disap- 
pointed that she had not come near enoiigh for them 
to signal her. 



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A DASH FOB FBEEDOM 160 

Some months before this, President Andrew Jack- 
wn bad received in tbe White House at Washington a 
delegation of merchants from Salem, Massachusetts. 
They had come to tell him of the murder of three 
American sailors, the capture of others, and the loot- 
ing of the American ship IViendthip by certain 
Malay pirates on the coast of Sumatra, and to 
demand protection for their vessels trading in those 
distant waters. With them was a man named Barry 
who had gone out as second mate of the Friendship, 
but had come home first, in place of her chief officer, 
who had been killed. John Barry's story was told 
with a straightforward simplicity that carried con- 
viction, and when it was finished the President, slap- 
ping his thigh vigorously, exclaimed : — 

" By the Lord Harry, gentlemen 1 You have done 
well to report this outrage, and I shall take especial 
pleasure in administering a punishment to those rascals 
that they will not forget in a hurry. " Then he sent for 
the Secretary of the Navy. " Woodbury," he said, as 
the latter appeared, " what frigate have you available 
for immediate service on the coast of Sumatra ? " 

" None, Mr. President," replied the Secretary, 
" the Querri^re now on the South American station is 
our only representative of that class in the Pacific, 
and her time being nearly expired, she will return 
home as soon as she can be relieved by the Potomac, 
which, as you know, is now at New York raady to 
sail" 



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100 A SON OF SATSUMA 

" Why can't the Potomac touch at Sumatra oa her 
vay out?" demanded the President. '^The errand 
that I -want her to do won't take more than a conpla 
of days." 

" Because, sir, in that case she would be obliged to 
proceed by the Cape of Good Hope, whereas she is 
now under orders to go by way of Cape Horn." 

** What dif[ereuoe will it make if she does go by 
Hope instead of Horn ? " 

"Very little, sir, probably not more than an extra 
month of time, if she should sail direct ; but you seem 
to have overlooked the fact of having already ordered 
that the Potomac convey to England the Hon. Mar- 
tin Van Buren, our minister to the court of St. James, 
before proceeding to her station." 

" Oh, hang Van Buren I " ezclumed the President, 
testily. " Of course I didn't mean that," he hastily 
added, "but the matter I have on my mind is of 
importance ; while it makes but little difference how 
or ^en Mr. Van Buren gets to England, so long as 
he gets there. I tell you what it is Woodbury, the 
Potomac has got to go to Sumatea. Moreover, she's 
got to start at once and get there as quickly as pos- 
sible, by the most direct route. Why, man, those 
niggers out there are murdering American seamen, 
looting American ships, and waggling their fingers at 
us with their thumbs to their noses. By the Lord 
Harry, sir, it is something I cannot and will not 
stand. So you may cancel Captain Downes' existing 



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A DASH FOB FBBEDOM Ml 

orders, and Immediately prepare aew ooes to be for- 
varded to him by express." 

" But, Mr. President, perhaps CongreBS — " 

"Congress be hanged I I vill settle with thft 
Malaya first, and with Congress afterwards." 

Thus, owing to the prompt action of " Old Hick- 
ory," the splendid frigate PotomaCf then new and 
considered one of the finest ships in the American 
navy, that had been selected to carry oar envoy to 
the most powerful court of Europe, was despatched to 
the other side of the world to punish an act of piracy 
committed against an American merchantman. 

The Potomac sailed from New York late in Augtmt 
and reached the Sumatra coast during the first week 
of the following February, or exactly one year from 
the date of the outrage whose perpetrators she was 
sent to punish. 

Before leaving this coast the year before Captun 
Endicott had promised Po Adam that, within a 
twelvemonth, he would see an American warship 
in these waters. 

Now, the friendly rajah, remembering this state- 
ment, confided to Bob Whiting that, after all, he 
shouldn't be surprised if the supposed Indiaman 
which had just passed were a disguised frigate. 

"American, do you think?" asked Bob, his eyes 
shining with excitement. 

"Mebbe so. Melicans got big ship same as him, 
you tink ? " 



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1« A iON OF SATSUMA 

"Yea, plenty of them," answered tht lad from 
S&lem. 

" Why he no come before, den ? " 

" I don't know. But if that ship is a man-of •war, 
something is going to happen up at Qualla Battoo 
that I for one want to see. What do you say, 
Adam? Can't we make a saeak up that way and 
perhaps get a front seat for the show ? " 

"AllUght." 

Po Adun's only vessel, a fine armed schooner, had 
been captured some months before by El Pavura, 
and taken to Qualla Battoo, so the proposed expedi- 
tion must go by land, which would add to its danger 
and difficulties. Notwithstanding this, Po Adam 
and our two lads, accompanied by a strong escort 
of half-naked retainers, set forth that very evening, 
hoping to reach the neighborhood of Qualla Battoo 
undetected under cover of darkness. They were 
still a few miles from it when daylight began to 
appear, and almost simultaneously there came a 
sound of heavy firing from directly ahead. 

"Hmrahl" shouted Bob, "the fight's begun. 
Hurry up, Adam I Horry, Katto, or we'll be too 
late for any use." 

With this the excited lad broke into a run, and the 
others streiuned after him. In another hour they 
came to a point of land from which they could over- 
lot^ the site of Qualla Battoo and its open road- 
stead. In the latter lay the great ship they had 



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A DASH FOH FBEKDOH IM 

flighted the day before ; bat instead of the disgiiiB- 
ing foreign flag (Danish) she had then displayed, 
she now rode at anchor under the stars and stripes. 

" A Yankee frigate, by ^1 that's fine I " gasped 
Bob. 

" Me tink so," replied Po Adam. *' Qnalla Battoo 
tink 80 too, putty queek, eh ? " he added, pointii^ to 
dense clouds of smoke rising above the tree-em- 
bowered town. 

" Great Csesar I I should say so," exclaimed Bob, 
in an awe-stricken tone. " And listen to the shoot- 
ing. Aren't they just having a hot old ^ht down 
there? Come, let's get where we can see what's 
going on." 

So saying, the speaker plunged down the side of 
the bluS in a bee-line for the nver that separated 
them from the soene of action in which he so longed 
to take part. 



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CHAPTER XX 

CHCLE SAM'S LONG ABH 

Whkn the disguised frigate appeared off Qoalla 
Battoo, El PaTura, recalling Captain Endicott's 
threat, and rendered suBpicious by her size, sent four 
men in a fishing-boat to board her, under pretence 
of wishing to sell their wares, and thus discover 
her real charaoter. As the first of these men, 
holding a conple of fish in his hand, climbed up 
over the frigate's side and caught a glimpse of her 
deck, on which a crew five hundred strong were 
grouped about a number of guns three times longer 
than any he had ever seen, he nearly tumbled over 
backwards with fright. As it was, he slid down 
into his boat, which was about to shove off, when 
an athletic young topman sprang into it through 
an open port and made prisoners of all four of iti 
occupants, who were taken on board and kept in 
confinement. 

Then one of the fr^ate's boats, holding a party 
of officers disguised as a merchant captain and 
members of his crew, pulled toward shore to dis- 
cover and report upon the oondition of the town ; 
but El Pavuia, made more suspicious than ever by 
the failure of his own spies to return, had so 



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imCLE 8A1PS LOmi ABH IW 

lined the beach with armed men, that they did 
not deem it expedient to attempt a landing. So 
they retomed to the ship, having gained but little 
information. 

Dnring the remainder of that da; El Pavura, still 
doabtfnl as to the true character o£ the great ^p 
that lay so threateningly off his stronghold, hut 
fearful that she might mean mischief, made all 
possible preparations to repel an attack. Women 
and children were sent back into the hills, while 
all able-bodied men, together with everything pro- 
curable in the shape of arms and ammonition, were 
gathered behind the walls of the five forts by which 
the town was guarded. 

While all this was going on unseen from the 
frigate, her decks presented scenes of similar activ- 
ity. Muskets were being cleaned, cutlasses sharp- 
ened, ammunition served, and men detailed for 
special duties. At two bells (five o'clock) in the 
afternoon everything was in readiness and all hands 
were knocked off for rest until midnight. Then 
boats were got alongside and an embarkation was 
b^un. A strong expedition was to go ashore, sur- 
prise the forts if possible, and prevent the escape of 
the chief men, from whom ample indemnity for the 
outrage upon the Friendship was to be demanded. 
No assault was to be made by the Americans unless 
they were first attacked, and they were cantioned 
not to fire a shot unless first fired upon. 



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IW A SON OF 8AT8UMA 

In absolute silence, under cover of the midnight 
darkness, and with muffled oars, the boat flotilla 
palled afihore, passed the surf in safety, and effected 
a lauding on the beach more iJian a mile north of 
the town. 

Daylight was at hand by the time the divisions 
were formed and a line of march taken up, through 
heavy sand, for the nearest fort. Aa the Americans 
approached it, a shadowy figure suddenly appeared, 
and darted away before them. Two minutes later 
a startling roar of musketry and swivels announced 
that the invaders had been discovered and that their 
advance would be contested without parley. 

With this the division detailed to attend to that 
particular fort opened fire, and the fight was on. It 
was two hours before the position was captured, and 
by that time many of its defenders had been killed, 
many others wounded, and the survivors were in full 
flight. Two other forts had also fallen, and the 
village was in flames. 

A vigorous assault was now made on the fort of 
£1 Pavura, which, located near the river, was by 
far the strongest of all the Qualla Battoa defences. 
Lieutenant Shubrick, commanding the expedition, 
led this attack in person ; and with him was John 
Barry, formerly mat« of the FriendeMp, but now 
acting as sailing master of the Potomac. 

For half an hour a heavy fire was muntained by 
both sides without much damage to either. Then, 



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TIKCLE SAM'S LONG ARM l«T 

findii^ Hub mode of attack iDeffective against the 
stoat borrioade, Lieatenant Shubrick divided his 
slender force, and learipg half of it to keep up the 
fire in front, led the remaining forty men on a circuit 
throi^b the jangle to aesaalt tho rear of the work. 
Aa they approached the riTer, they discovered three 
armed schooners, filled with Malays, anchored in the 
diannel. The Americans had with them one six- 
poimd gun, and opening with it, supported by a 
brisk fire of musketry, they quickly drove overboard 
the crews of two of the vessels. The third and 
lai^^est, which was that formerly owned by Po 
Adam, hoisted sail and fled up the river, where in a 
gapposfld place of safety she was made fast to the 
south bank. 

In the meantime, Bob Whiting and his companions 
had gained that same bank of the river a short time 
before ; and, still concealed by the jungle, had been 
vainly casting about for some means of crossing. 
Kow they followed the flying schooner, hoping for 
the very thing that happened, and the moment she 
touched the bank they rushed on board with terrific 
yells and a deadly fire from their muskets. Although 
the crew of the schooner outnumbered them two to 
one, they were so completely taken by sutprise as to 
be quiokly overpowered. Five of them were killed, 
many more wounded, and Fo Adam was once more 
in possession of his own. 

At Bob's earnest request, he was now set across 



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us A SON OF SATSUHA 

the river, and, closely followed by Katto, he hastened 
in the direction of the fighting. The American* 
had jost Bucceeded in chopping a breach through the 
stockade^ and were rushing in as Bob joined them. 
The first man throngh the opening fell dead with a 
bullet in bis brain, and out lad snatched up his cut- 
lass. Then he plunged into such a pandemonium of 
fire, smoke, shots, blows, fierce yells, and screams, 
that he became utterly oblivious of his own actions, 
until he found himself leaning dizzily ^unst a post, 
and mechanically wiping away a little stream of 
blood that trickled persistently into his eyes. All at 
once a figure loomed before him with an uplifted 



" Don't hit me," cried Bob. " I'm an American." 

" Tou don't look it," replied the man, hesitating. 

" I am, though," insisted our lad. " Can't you tell 
by the way I talk ? " 

" Tou can't go by that in this shindy," argued the 
other. " There's a man lying over there who talks 
United States as well as you do, but at the same 
time he seems to be the leader of the whole bloomin* 
gang and has fought us like a devil let loose." 

" Show him to me," cried Bob, with a sudden inspi- 
ration. " Perhaps I can tell you who he is. See, I 
am unarmed." Here the lad flung away his cutlass. 

"Will you go as my prisoner and swear not to 
play any monkey tricks 7 " asked the seaman. 

" Of course I will, and glad of the chance." 



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UNCLE SAirS LONa ARM Ml 

"Who's this nigger wot's a follering jon like a 
pet dog? Perhaps you'd like to make me believe 
he's a white man, too." 

Boh turned quickly and found Katto close at hand 
regarding the situation calmly, but evidently ready 
for instant action in case his friend should be 
assaulted. 

" No, he isn't white any more than he is a nigger ; 
but he's a Japanese and my best friend. You can 
have him for a prisoner, too, if you want, for hell do 
what I say." 

"All right; I'll take him in," replied the man. 
" You want to get a move on, though, for we hain't 
got no time to spare ; our bullies are getting ready to 
fall back, and it won't do for me to get left behind." 

A moment later Bob Whiting knelt beside El 
Pavura, who, desperately wounded, lay dying in a 
rapidly widening pool of his own blood. At sound 
of our lad's voice the gray eyes opened and a flash 
of recognition brightened the swarthy features. 

" Water," he whiq>ered. 

" Fetch water, quick," commanded Bob, sharply, at 
which both Katto and the seaman started in search 
of the precious fluid. 

"Good lad," whispered the dying man with his 
wide-open eyes fixed on Bob's face. " Sorry — take 
— home — father — mother — forgive. " 

With this he made a feeble effort to remove some- 
thing from his throat. 



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170 A 80K OF 8AT8UHA 

Following the belpleaa moTemeDt of the man's 
lumd, Bob discovered, and lifted from about his neck, 
a slender gold chain to wbicb was attached a rudely 
painted miniature of two faces. As the man saw 
that Bob had secured this, he smiled, tried to speak, 
partially raised himself by a mighty effort, and fell 
back dead. 

Just then the seaman came hurrying back. " (^in't 
find no water," he said, " and we hain't a minute longer 
to stay here. Eyerything's on fire, and everybody's 
getting out before the bioomin' mf^aziue catches. 
We can't do nothing for that pirate, anyhow." 

" No," replied Bob, gaining his feet. " We can't 
do anything for him, and I'm ready to go. Where's 
Katto?" 

"Here my," replied the young Japanese, appearing 
with a calabash of water, which Bob, nearly perished 
with thirst, drank as they ran. 

The Americans had not gained more than one hun- 

> dred yards from the blazing fort, when its mt^razine 

blew up with a roar that shook the solid earth, and 

the body of El Farura found fitting sepulchre amid 

the ruins of his own piratical stronghold. 

"How's this, Larkin? Who are theee men?" 
demanded an officer in charge of one of the boats. 

" Prisoners, sir," replied the seaman, saluting as he 
spoke. " An — " 

"Turn 'em loose. We've notliing to do with 
prisoners." 



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UNCLE BAAFS LONQ ABH 171 

" But, air, one of 'em says as how he's white and 
belonged to the Friendihip." 

"What's that? Belonged to the Friendthipt" 
cried a voice. " Let me look at him." 

Whirling around, Bob found himself face to face 
with John Barry, who stared at him without a sign 
of recognition. 

** Don't you know me, Mr. Barry ? " gasped the 
lad, OTCrwhelmed by the joy of this unexpected 



"No, hailed if I do," replied the other. "Never 
saw you before in all my life, and yet your voice 
sounds kinder natural." 

"I'm Robert Whiting, the 'hayseed,* of the old 
Friendgkip, and here's Katto, We've been slaves 
in this awful place, but Po Adam — " 

" Bless my soul I So you are," interrupted the 
astonished sailor. " But who'd ever thought to 
find you alive, and togged out like a Malay pirate. 
It's all right, Mr. Totten. These are our lads, fast 
enough, and this is the best part of this bully day's 
work. Tumble in, boys, and we'll have you aboard 
the frigate in no time." 

"'Twas me captured and fetched 'em in, sir," 
remarked seaman Larkin, fearful lest his claim to 
glory should be overlooked. 

" It'U be credited to you in the report, my man, 
never fear ; though I reckon you wouldn't have had 
80 easy a job if they hadn't wanted to be captured." 



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in A SON OF SATsmu 

Not loDg afterwards. Bob, trembling with hap- 
piness, stood once more on an American deck, under 
the folds of the starry banner that was to him the 
most glorious emblem oq earth. He and Katto were 
the heroes of the day, and were bo plied with kindly 
attentions, that it was some hours before he found 
a quiet opportunity for examining the miniature 
that he had taken from the dead pirate. Then he 
discoTered scratched on its back the names " Abel 
Datton — Hannah Dutton," and knew for a certainty, 
what he had already suspected, that Ei Pavura was 
one and the same with the Ezekiel Dutton who had 
sailed away from Kew England in a missionary 
schooner years b^ore. 



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CHAPTER XXI 

ON BOABD THE PBIGATB "POTOKAO" 

The Potomac't comm&Dder, Captiun John Downes, 
who had begun his naval career under the redoubt- 
able Paul Jones, and had taken part in that moat 
wonderful of sea-fighbB, when the old patched-up 
merchantman, Bon Homme Richard, vanquished the 
splendid new frigate Serapis. Next, he had served 
tmder Preble in the Mediterranean against the Bar- 
baiy corsairs, and a few years later acted as Porter's 
first lieutenant during the famous cruise of the 
Stgex, when that sturdy little frigate swept clean 
the South Pacific. With Porter again he had 
helped overthrow the powerful association of West 
Indian pirates known as Brethren of the Coast, 
and in all these schools of naval warfare he had 
been impressed with the lesson that the more thor- 
oughly a punishment is administered, the longer 
will it be remembered. So, in the present case, he 
realized that, while he had dealt the Malays of 
Qualla Battoo a heavy blow, be must do something 
more in order fully to impress them with the power 
of the American government. 

A year earlier they had been moved to merriment 
by being told that an American ship with big gons 



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174 A SON OF SATSUHA 

would be sent to punish tiiem for their nuBdeeds. and 

had replied : — 

" Big gun, Melioon ship no hab got." 

Eveo now with their town in ashes and fonr of 
ita five forts destroyed, they had no faith in the big 
gun story. On the following momiog, therefore, 
the Potomac was iqoTed to within a mile of shore 
and anchored, so that her larboard battery bore on 
their sole remaining fort As it was located on the 
south side of the river, the land force of the day 
before had been unable to reatih it, and now it was 
crowded with armed men sullenly awaiting the boat 
attaok they supposed was to be made. 

Suddenly, and with a tremendous roar, a S2-pound 
shot was sent hurtling above their heads and went 
crashing into the forest a mile beyond them. In 
another instant the amazed and terribly frightened 
occupants of the fort were scuttling through the 
jungle, and for the next hour shot after shot from 
the big guns tore huge holes in that fort until a huge 
porUon of it was redaced to match-wood. Then the 
cannonading was suspended to cool the guns, and at 
once white flags were displayed on the beach, from 
the jungle, and from the smoking ruins of the town. 
An answering fl^ of truce was run to the frigate's 
masthead, and a boat, also bearing an emblem of 
peace, ventured to put off from shore. It brought 
the three remaining rajahs of the place humbly uixious 
to Boe for peace and beg that the terrible American 



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Shot after shot tore holes in the Tort. 



Coog[c 



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ON BOABD THB FRIGATE "FOTOHAO" ITS 

gaas be no iongei turned in the direction of Qn^Ia 
Battoo. 

During their interview with Captain Downee, Bob 
Whiting had the pleasore of acting as interpreter, and 
it is certain that the stem words of the American com- 
mander lost nothing of their severity in translation. 

Thus was ended the episode of Qualla Battoo, by 
which the power of Uncle Sam was for the first time 
made manifest in that part of the world. The next 
day the Potomac sailed for Fo Adam's town, where 
the faithful fellow, invited to dine on hoard, was 
treated with every courtesy on account of the friend- 
ship he had shown toward Americans. 

Then, with all her duties on that coafit duly per- 
formed, the frigate took her departure, and proceeding 
to the eastward, touched at Batavia on her way to 
Canton. By the time she had crossed the troubled 
waters of the China Sea, Bob and Katto had been on 
board a full month, and the former was rejoicing 
at the prospect of a quick run to the United States, 
though the latter looked dubious whenever he thooght 
of going to such an immense distance from his own 
land. 

" My rike first go my home," he would say, when- 
ever the two lads discussed the subject. 

" That's all right, and I don't blame you one bit," 
Bob would reply. " 1 should like mighty well to 
visit your home too ; but aa that caimot be, why, the 
next beat thing is for you to come to mine." 



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ITe A SON OF SATStJMA 

On Uie day before the ship was expected to e^;lit ths 
Cbioa coast, Bob, in talking with Mr. Barry, learned 
lot the first time that the frigate, instead of being on 
her way to the United States as he had supposed, 
was bound for a three-years cruise oS the Pacific 
coast of South America. 

" I hope," Mr. Barry had said, " now that you've 
seen something of man-of-war life, yon like it well 
enough to enlist and take the whole cruise with 

UB." 

"I don't know about that," replied Bob. "To 
tell you the truth, Mr. Barry, I've had about as 
much of this sort of thing as I care for just now, and 
am pretty anxious to get back home again." 

" I don't know as I blame you, after the experience 
you've just gone through with, but the question is, 
how are you going to get home ? " 

" Couldn't I find a chance at Canton to ship aboard 
some homeward-bound American ?" asked Bob. 

" I don't know, but well see. I expect the cap'n 'U 
be disappointed, though, for he asked me only to- 
day if I thoaght yon would enlist, and I said I was 
pretty sure you would. He wants to get hold of 
your friend, too, for a cabin steward." 

Mr. Barry had reported this conversation to Cap- 
tain Downes, with a result that the two lads were 
summoned aft for an interview. Bob was rather 
nervous at the prospect of facing the man concerning 
wh<Hn he had recently heard so many thrilling stories, 



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OH BOABD THB FRIGATE "POTOUAC" ITT 

bat Katto entered the cabin with the calm confidencs 
of one who Tisits an equal. 

" So, young man," began Captain Dowoes, addi— 
ing Bob, " joa don't oouiUArtbt the American navy 
offers a career worthy of your talents ? " 

" Oh, no, sir ! — 1 mean oh, yes, sir," stammered 
Bob. "1 believe it offers a career worthy of tlw 
very best talents in the country, but not before they 
have been developed by education." 

" Ob ho t That is the trouble, is it ? So you 
want an education, eh ? " 

" Yea, sir." 

" And how do you propose to obtain one ? " 

" By hard work, sir. With your peimissioa I 
shall ship to the best posmble advantage at Canton, 
on some homeward-bound vessel. Then, on reaching 
an American port, I should have enough money to 
give me a start at some college, through which I 
should hope to work my way." 

" H — m I What put all this idea of education 
into your head ? I understood from Mr. Barry that 
before going to sea you were only a farm hand, and 
a bouad boy at that." 

" So I was, sir, but I also am the son of an English 
clergyman, consequently my father must have been 
both a gentleman and a scholar. I have always loved 
to study, and was fitting for college when the farmer to 
whom I was bound said that I was educated enough and 
forbade me having anything more to do with books.** 



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178 A SON OF SATSUUA 

" Didn't you once tell Mr. Barry that you would 
be satisfied if you could ever rise to a positiou aa 
high as the one he then held? " 

"Tee, sir, but that was before I knew anything 
about the navy, and realized how much a naval 
officer ought to know before being fitted for hia 
position." 

** I acknowledge the compliment to our service, my 
lad, and I would to heaven that more young Ameri- 
cans ambitious to enter the navy were imbued with 
yoitr ideas. Our profession demands a more general 
knowledge than any other, and I am inclined to 
think that if you carry out the programme just out- 
lined, yon will become one of the very men we want. 
I will start you in that direction by aiding so far 
as may be your return to the United States, and in 
after years I shall hope for good accounts from you." 

" Thank you, sir," said Bob. " I will try my best 
to be worthy of your kindness." 

"No one can do more," replied Captain Downes, 
smiling, " and by the way, here is something I want 
you to take and keep, read, and re-read, until you 
know it by heart. It is a printed copy of the letter 
written by my old commander Paul Jones — God 
bless him — to the naval committee of the first Con- 
tinental Congress, defining his idea of what an Ameri- 
can naval ofBcer should be. It holds as good to-day 
and will hold as good for aU time as it 'did then. 
And now, my young Japanese friend," he added, 



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ON BOAKD THE FRIGATE -FOTOIUC" 179 

tomii^ to Katto, "how is it with you? Are yoa 
willing to rfiip with na for a tiiree-yeais cnme ? " 

« My go where Bob go," replied the lad, without 
hesitation. ** My rike go my own country. Mebbe 
Bob come. Mebbe some time many Merle mao 
come and Nippon pe(^ be grad see 'em. Now no 
rite 'em. Then mebbe say 'brother.'" 

" By JoTO I " exclaimed Captain Downee, " that 
is an idea worth considering, and X shall certunly 
suggest it at Washlngtoa. It would be a gloriooB 
thing if, through American influence, Japan could be 
opened to the worid. At the same time, I don't see 
exactly how you are to get back to your country, 
since I am informed that no natiye of Japan, once 
leaving it, is ever allowed to return. As for your 
American friend here, it would be the same as com- 
mitting suicide for him to set foot on Japanese soil, 
and so I cannot give my consent for him to make the 
attempt. You hear, young man, no matter what else 
you may do, on no account must you go to Japan." 

** Yes, sir," replied Bob, " I understand ; at the 
Bame time, I would rather go there than anywhere 
else in the world. 

" No doubt," laughed Captain Downes ; " you would 
not be human if your chief desire was not for forbid- 
den fruit. Now yon may go, and when we reach 
Canton I will see what arrangements I can make for 
getting rid of you, since you so evidently prefer other 
company to ours." 



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ISO A SON OF SAT8UHA 

On the following day the Potomac anchored m 
the roads off the Portuguese trading settlement of 
Maeao. Here Captain Dowces chartered a small 
schooner for the sixty-mile run up to Canton, which 
city he desired to visit. He was absent a week, and 
QpoQ his return sent for Bob Whiting. 

"My lad," he said, upon the appearance of the 
latter, " I find that there is no American ship in this 
port at present, but one is daily expected. If you 
choose to await her arrival, you can do so safely and , 
with great comfort at tiie Canton factory of the 
American merchants, Messrs. Heard and Lattimer. 
I mentioned your case to them, and Mr. Lattimer 
very generously invites yon and your friend to be 
his guests until such time as you may depart for the 
States. If you choose to accept this offer, you can go 
up on the schooner which is to return at once to Ute 
oily." 

"I do accept it, sir, for both of ns," replied Bob, 
heartily, "and am more grateful than I can ever 
express for your exceeding kindness to us." 

*' Don't mention it, my boy. I have done little, 
and only ask in retam that you so conduct yoiuself 
abroad and at home as to reflect credit upon the 
name of American. Good-by, and may God bless 
you." 



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CHAPTER XXII 

BOB PEBFOBMS A HIBACLB 

" I SAT, old maa, this sort of thing is beastly bIot, 
and I'm getting awfully tired of it, aren't you? I 
almost wish we'd stayed on the Potomac and gone to 
South America instead of taking our chances in this 
hole." 

Such was Bob Whiting's complaint, made to his 
Japanese comrade after a week spent in Canton at 
the factory of the American merchants who extended 
to him their kindly hospitality. As foreigners were 
not allowed within the city walls, and as it was not 
considered safe for our lads to explore even the 
suburbs without a strong escort, they were confined 
to the house and grounds of their entertainers. 

The Potomae having departed. Bob felt himself 
very much alone in an exceedingly strange land, and 
longed for a chance to get away. Mr. Lattimer, 
though most kind, was too busy a man to devote 
much time to his unimportant guests, and being thus 
thrown upon their own resources, they spent most 
of their waking hours on the water front of tiie 
narrow American reservation, watching the swarm- 
ing life of the yellow river. Here they found a 
never-failing source of interest in myriads of junks 



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Itt A SON OP SATSUICA 

of all aizes, shapes, and descriptions, occupied by 
uncoauted thousands of haman beings, many of 
whom passed their vhole lives on them without 
ever stepping ashore. 

It was on one of these occasions, and while the 
lada were sitting on the stone landing steps of the 
compound, that Bob uttered his complaint. For 
some minntes Katto had been intently gazing at a 
Urge sea^going junk that displayed from one of its 
mastiieads a white fl^ emblazoned with a red disk. 
No other vessel bore this symbol, nor was its like to 
be seen on shore. 

At the conclusion of BoVs remarks, Katto turned 
to him as though rousing from a deep revery, and 
asked significantly, — 

" How you rike go my country, eh, Bob San? " 

■* I've already told yon that I should like it very 
much indeed ; but what is the use of talking or 
even thinking of such a thing when it is impoan- 
ble?" 

"Dunno. Mebbfl my make go," said Katto, re- 
flectively, with just a trace of excitement appearing 
in his usually placid features. Then, without a word 
of explanation, he tnrned and walked toward the 
house. Bob, wondering what had come over his 
comrade, remained behind to continue his watch for 
an American boat, whose coming would announce an 
arrival at tiie river's month of the ardently desired 
Yankee ship. 



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BOB PERFORMS A MIRACLE 188 

On reaoliing the house, Katto procured a cake of 
ink, a peocil-Iike brush, and a sheet of paper, on 
which he carefully sketched two columns of Chinese 
charaoters. He had written a letter, and, at ito 
conclusion, in place of a signature, he drew a circle, 
within which he inscnbed a cross. Rolling this 
letter and tying it with a silken thread, he hunted 
up the comprador, or house steward of the establish- 
ment. To this man he intrusted it, and contriTed 
to make him understand that it was to be delivered 
with all haste. Then he returned to the apartment 
that he occupied with his friend, and waited. 

Within an hour a handsome palanquin, borne by 
two perspiring coolies who had evidently travelled 
with speed, and aooompanied by several servants, 
drew up at the entrance to the American factoiy* 
and was promptly admitted to the grounds. From 
it alighted with great dignity an elderly Chinese 
merchant, richly robed in blue silk. That he was 
a person of consequence was shown by the deference 
of the comprador, who greeted him with the pro- 
fonndest of salaams, and walked backward as he 
nshered him into the house. 

A minute later the merchant and Katto stood face 
to face, after an exchai^e of bows, and after each had 
cordially shaken his own hands, gazing at each other 
in silence. The young man waited for his guest to 
make the first move, which the latter did by produc- 
ing from one of his flowing sleeves the letter written 



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IM A SON or 8AT8II1U 

by Katto, uid pointing significantly to its stmnge 
signature. 

For answer Katto drew aside his robe and dis- 
played the similar device tattooed in vermilion on 
his breast. The moment the merchant saw this, he 
fell to his knees, and bowed so profoandly that hb 
forehead tooched the floor ; but Katto, springing 
forward, raised him, and conducted him to a seat. 
Directly f^terward servants arrived witii the tea 
and confections reserved for dlstingoished guests. 

When they were gone, the merchant and Katto 
began an animated conversation, each nung certun 
words of the other's langu^e with which he was 
familiar. While it was in progress. Bob, not know- 
ing of the presence of a visitor, entered the apart- 
ment. He hesitated at sight of the stranger, and 
would have withdrawn, but Katto prevented him. 

"Hoi on, Bob San," he said. "This man Wo 
Sing. Him rike you, rike me. Makee talk. Bimeby 
you know. Mebbe you like too." 

Then the speaker turned to his visitor and ez- 
l^ained that Bob was his friendf whereupon the 
merchant bowed to the young American and affably 
shook his own hands. 

So Bob remained, and greatly wondering how 
Katto had made this swell acquaintance, listened in- 
terestedly, hut without comprehen^on, to their con- 
versation. After a while Mr. Wo Sing took a 
oeremooions departure, aod Katto escorted him to 



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BOB FEBF0BM8 A MIRACLE 1S6 

bis palanquin. When he returned, his eyes glo'wed 
trith excitement. 

" I rike go my country, you rike go my country, 
can go," he declared. 

" You don't mean it," cried Bob. " How ? " 

Then Katto expUined that the great junk to 
which his attention had been attracted by the Jap- 
anese flag disphiyed from its masthead, was the one 
allowed to make an annual trading voyage between 
China and Japan. Until seeing her he had not 
remembered that she sailed from Canton, but, as this 
flashed into his mind, he also recalled the name of 
the hong, or business house owning her, and imme- 
diately sent a message to that address. It had been 
promptly answered by the head of the firm in per- 
son, and he had offered our lads passage on his junk, 
which would sail for Nagasaki a few days later. 

" But how are you going to manage it ? " asked 
the still bewildered Bob. " I thought your people 
would kill you if you tried to go hack after being 
in a foreign country, as quick as they would me for 
being a foreigner." 

"My fix um good," replied Katto, confidently. 
"Yon come, my fix um. You no die, my no die. 
You come, eh, Bob San ? " 

" Yes," replied our lad, slowly, " I suppose I might 
as well, for I do want to see your country awfully, 
and a chance like this isn't to be tossed overboard as 
though it could be had every day in the year. You 



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IM A SON OF SATSUUA 

are going to mk as much as I am ; and after all, if 
they won't let us land in Japan, we can come back 
here again with nothing lost but a little time. So 
I'll go with you, old man, only we must tell Mr. 
Lattimer what we are up to. He has been too kind 
for Qs to give him the slip. I don't see, tbough, how 
you. ever peranaded Mr. Woo Song, or whatever his 
tame is, to give ns a passage that we can't pay for." 

" My fix nm," cried Katto, laughing joyously, and 
\it&t was the only answer Bob could get. He told 
Mr- Lattimer that very evening of their newly made 
plan, and though that gentleman said it would be 
of no use, since they certainly would not be allowed 
to set foot on Japanese soil, he could urge no valid 
objection to their taking the voyage if they chose, 
and so that part of tiie affair was straightened out. 

For the next two days Katto was as busy as he 
was happily excited, and was constantly despatching 
or receiving messengers, who ran on all sorts of 
emmds. Once Mr. Wo Sing came in his palan- 
quin, bringing two complete Chinese costumes in 
which oiir lads were to disguise themselves before 
sailii^. 

At length all was in readiness for departure, the 
monsoon was favorable, and word came one after- 
noon that the junk would drop down the river at 
daylight. In the dusk of early evening a sampan 
ran alongside the anchored vessel which bore the 
remarkable name of "Most Excellent Appetite," 



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BOB PERFOBUS A MIRACLE 187 

and delivered od board two passengers. One of 
them, evidently a very aged man, was clad in the . 
robes of a Bonze or Buddhist priest. He was bent 
with the weight of years and leaned heavily on his 
staff as well as npon a shoulder of the servant who 
accompanied bim. His eyes were shielded by great 
goggles of green glass, set in horn rims, and a thin, 
snow-white mustache drooped from his upper lip. 
The servant was a stout young fellow clad in ordi- 
nary peasant costume. These arrivals were evi- 
dently expected by t^e captain of the Appetitt, 
who, walking backward before the bonze, conducted 
him to a cabin of honor at the stern of the junk, 
where the passengers were lost to sight from the 
gaping crew. These were filled with curiosity, it 
being a most unusual thing for a priest to go to sea ; 
but it soon became known among them that the old 
bonze was a famous worker of miracles, and was to 
visit some of the lees civilized of the Loo Choo 
islands, — claimed by both China and Japan, — where 
his marvellous powers were to be used for frighten- 
ing the savages into an adoption of Buddhism. 

Of course this was a perfectly proper as well as 
a most natural thing to do ; and the crew of the 
Appetite congratulated themselves that the safety 
of their present voyage was assured by the, presence 
on board of so powerful a being. 

That their confidence in him was not misplaced 
was shown on the third day out from Canton, when 



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IN A BON OF SATSUHA 

the junk, being in the dangerous vicinity of the 
Ladrones, was overhanled by a swift-roving craft, 
that, filled with armed pirates, shot out from behind 
a bushy islet and ran alongside. There was no pos- 
sibility of escape ; for not a breath of air was stir- 
ring, and the AppeUte was only drifting lazily with 
the tide. Her crew made such preparations as they 
might for repeUing the pirates, but with little hope 
of success, for the latter not only outnumbered them, 
but were better armed. An irregular volley from 
gingals and antiquated matchlocks failed to intimi- 
date the enemy, and before its smoke had cleared 
away they were clambering aboard with knives 
held between their teeth. Step by step the crew 
were driven aft, and their fate was apparently 
sealed, when, of a sudden, the old bonze appeared 
standing on top of Ms cabin with uplifted hands. 
He was nearly enveloped in a dense cloud of incense 
that rose from his feet, and his stru^ling shipmates 
besought him with load cries to save them. 

For a moment the battle lulled, even the pirates 
waiting to see what would happen. Then the form 
of the bonze wholly disappeared behind the veil of 
smoke, and the assailants were about to renew their 
attack, when from it dashed, not an old man, but two 
youthful figures naked to the waist. One was white 
and the other brown, while the former was armed 
with pistols and a cutlass. 

Yelling in an unknown tongoe, these Bpnng into 



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BOB PEBFOBMB A MIRACLE 180 

the fray like beings to whom fear w&a unknown, and 
80 fierce wm their aspect that the terror-stricken 
pirates tumbled over each other in their frantic 
efforts to escape. Within two minutes the deck 
was cleared of all save the dead and those who 
rightfully belonged there, and the jubilant (»ew were 
hurling spears after the retreating boat. When 
they could no longer reach it, they turned to wor- 
ship their mysterious deliverers, but these had 
disappeared, though the smoke of incense still 
enveloped the cabin of the bonze whose miracle 
hod saved them. 



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CHAPTER XXin 

ADRIFT WITHOUT OABB 

" Whkw I Bat that was hot work ! " exclaimed 
Bob, as, panting and perspiring, be flung himaelf into 
the cabin to which he and Katto had retreated tiirough 
the friendly veil of smoke, the moment they saw that 
their presence on deck was no longer needed. 

"Qnick! Make bonze," gasped Katto. "Smoke 
mos' gone." 

" That's so," replied the other, as he hastily donned 
his disguise. Then be harried outside and stood for 
a moment in the dissolving smoke cloud, with uplifted 
hands, so that as it cleared away the superstitions 
crew could plainly see him. His attitude was tiie 
same as when they bad besought bis all-powerful aid, 
and now every last one of them was ready to swear 
that he had not stirred from that spot nor altered 
his position. 

"Which," said Bob a little later, while talking 
over the situation with bis friend, *' makes easy sail- 
ing for us so far as this crowd is concerned. I tell 
yoa, Katto, you've got a great head, and though I 
hated this priest business at first, I can see now that 
it is working oat all right. Bat I say, old man, what 
a fighter you are I I didn't think it was in you. J 
190 



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ADBIFT WITHOnT OABS 191 

vaa too busy myself to notice aU you did. Same time 
I saw you pick up that biggest fellow, aod pitch him 
over your head into the water, as if he were a sack of 
potatoes; and it seemed as if I saw yon break another 
chap's ann just as he was going to jab you with a 
knife. How did yon manage ? " 

" What you make say trick," replied the Japanese 
lad, smiling. "Nippon man not big. Mus' know 'um 
trick, or mebbe some time big man make die." 

"Well, it's a trick I'd like to learn," said Bob, "for 
you handled them as though it wasn't any trouble at 
aU." 

" Mebbe my show you some time," langhed Katto. 

After this discomfitnre of (he Ladrone pirates, who 
in those days lay in wait for the commerce of Canton 
in great numbers, the voyage of the Appetite was con- 
tinued for something more than a month without 
incident or interruption. To our lads, confined for 
the most part to their cabin, that they might not be 
subject to a too close scrutiny from the crew, it was 
a vojtkge of such tedious monotony that they would 
have regarded even another pirate attack as a welcome 
diversion. But nothing of the kind occurred as 
their clumsy craft wallowed slowly up the coast, 
keeping within sight of land as far as the island of 
Hao-tan, from which it rolled across the strait of 
Formosa, skirted the northern end of the great island 
of the same name, and soon afterwards was among 
the Loo Chooa. 



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lOa A SON OF BATSCMA 

Katto's plan, which, long ere this, had been dis- 
cussed with Bob in every detail, was that they shoold 
be landed on one of the uninhabited islands of this 
archipelago, and left, together with an ample supply 
of proTiBions, until word could be got to his father 
at Kagoshima, when he felt certain that the latter 
would send a Japanese jnnk in search of him. Of 
course the story to be told was that the craft in which he 
had originally sailed from home had been driven south- 
west, instead of northeast, by a typhoon and wrecked 
among the Loo Choos, where all her company except 
himself had been killed by the savage natives. He 
had been saved by a priest, and, after many adven- 
tures, they two had escaped to the island on which 
they were discovered. For many weary months no 
vessel had come near enough to be hailed or even 
signalled, until at last they had the good fortune to 
attract attention from the " Most Excellent Appetite." 
Even then her master had refused to receive them on 
board as, under no circumstances, was he allowed to 
carry passengers to Japan. In fact, it was only with 
the greatest reluctance that he consented to receive 
and transmit to Kagoshima the message announcing 
their unhappy predicament. He had been induced 
to sell them, at an enormous price, a small quantity 
of provisions and some other articles that they greatly 
needed, which would account for Chinese goods being 
found in their possession. 

Such was the story concocted between Katto and 



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ADBIFT WITHOUT OARS Mt 

Mr. Wo Sing in Canton, to be repeated later to Bob 
and the captain of the junk. Upon the strength of 
it the young Japanese hoped to return safely to his 
own country, taking with him the dear friend 
who had already shared so much of his fortunes 
and adventures. There was little fear that it 
would be contradicted by any of the junk's crew, 
or that they would make mention in Japan of the 
passengers left among the Loo Choos, because not 
only were they unfamiliar with the Japanese lan- 
gnage, but no one of them would be allowed on 
shore, or even to hold communication with those 
who came off in boats. 

At length the happy day of relief from the tedioos 
voyage dawned ; and late in the afternoon the mas- 
ter of the junk announced to his passengers that the 
island selected for their temporary residence was 
ooming into view. A small boat was got overboard 
and hauled close up under the stem of the junk, 
where, the sea being smooth, it was laden with all it 
could carry of useful articles, passed out through the 
cabin window unnoticed by the crew. 

As darkness fell, all was in readiness, and the lads 
who were of their own accord to become castaways 
on B desolate Pacific islet partook of their last meal 
in the cabin of the friendly craft that, in spite of 
her clumsy appearance, had brought them thus far 
in safety. During a final interview with the captain, 
he promised to touch at the island on his return 



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IH A BON OF SATSUMA 

voyage, and if they had not been taken off, to gin 
tiiem passage back to Canton. 

About miduight they were notified that the juok 
was abreast of the island, and that their time for 
departure had come. So, with sincere thanks for Mm 
oaptaiu'e courtesy, our lads bade him farewdl, slipped 
down into their wuting boat, cast it off, and sat 
motionless until the junk had vanished into the 
night. When they could no loi^r distinguish her. 
Bob broke the silence by saying : — 

"Well, we are in for it now, and couldn't get 
aboard the old Appetite again if we wanted to. So 
let's out oars and make for that blessed island, on 
which we are to do the Robinson Cnisoe act." 

But there were no oars. They had been lifted 
from the boat while her cargo was being stowed, 
and carelessly left on board the junk. When a 
brief search convinced our lads of this startling &ct, 
they were filled with consternation. Until then they 
had not realized the terrible risks of their situation. 
The island was so close at hand that they had 
expected to gain it without trouble, and once ashore 
to remain in safety, ontil taken off either by a 
Japanese junk sent on purpose, or by the retarning 
Appetite. Now, through one little oversight, the 
whole situation was changed, and their feeling of 
security was exchanged for one of vague terror. 
Already the form of the island was so dim that they 
could barely make it out. It was evident that tiiey 



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The lads sat motionless until the junk had vanished into the night. 



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ADRIFT WITHODT OAKS IN 

were drifting from it ; and both lads, leaning over 
the sides, began to paddle furiously with their hands, 
hoping t^us to urge their craft in the desired direc- 
tion. They worked until exhausted and then looked 
up. The island had utterly disappeared, so that they 
no longer knew even the direction in which it lay. 

" It's of DO use I " exclaimed Bob, bitterly. " We 
can't do a thing now until daylight, even if we can 
then. Oh ! what blamed idiots we were to con»der 
BQch a crazy scheme in the first place ; and then, in 
trying to carry it out, to start off with such an inex- 
cusable bit of carelessness. If ever I get back to a 
country where lunatics are shut up, I shall expect 
to spend the rest of my days in an asylum. What 
do you say, old man ? did you ever know of two 
bigger fools than we have been ? " 

" My say, no rike it," replied Katto, in a troubled 
tone. " No can see. No can do. Bimeby, mebbe, 
sun up, can see, can do." 

" I suppose, while the sea is smooth and there isn't 
a thing to be done, we might as well go to sleep," 
reflected Bob. " We may be too busy after sunrise. 
At any rate I'd rather sleep and dream that I was a 
person of sense, than to keep awake and know that 
I'm a fool. It's cold, too, and I don't suppose we're 
called upon to freeze to death if we can help it." 

Thus saying. Bob followed the example already 
set by his philosophical companion, and snuggling 
down in the bottom of the boat, drew over him such 



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1(M A SON OF 8ATSDHA 

portions of her cargo as were suitable for coTering. 
In another minute he was fast asleep, and their 
cocUe-Bhell was left to drift unguided with the cur- 
rent that in those parts always sets northward. 

It was broad daylight when Bob awoke with a 
start, to find Katto standing in the bow and sweep- 
ing the whole horizon with eager gaze. ** No can 
see," he remarked in a hopeless tone. 

"No," admitted Bob, when he too had taken a 
comprehenmve look on all sides. " I can't even see 
the island on which we hoped to land last night, 
which shows how fast we must be drifting. I 
shouldn't wonder if we were in the set of a power- 
ful current. But let's get something to eat and 
then consider the situation." 

There was plenty of food in the boat, but the sup- 
ply of drinking-water was wofully me^re, the whole 
of it being contained in a joint of bamboo stoppered 
at one end and holding about half a gallon. It was 
somewhat surprising that even this pitiful supply 
had found its way into the boat, for there was known 
to be plenty of water on the island to which our lads 
had been boimd. 

After eating almost in silence, and without any 
great relish, the castaways again stood up and 
scanned the horizon. Suddenly Bob, gazing eagerly, 
with hand-shaded eyes, shouted, " Land ho I See, 
Katto, OTer the starboard bow. It looks like a cloud, 
hot I'm sure it's land. To make it, though, we've got 



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ADRIFT WITHOUT OABS 197 

to have steer^e way, for the set of the current cloeBn't 
seem to be quite in that direction." 

Filled with hopeful excitement, they managed to 
tear out eeverid strips of the boat's sheathing. Bob 
used the widest of these as a steering oar, while 
Katto bound the others into a rude frame to which 
he attached a bit of cloth. Then he stood up and 
held this makeshift sail so that the light breexe of 
the southwest monsoon should strike it fairly. 

All day they sailed thus, the living maat being 
frequently relieved, while the land before them 
spread out on either side until it assumed the pro- 
portions of a large island. Shortly before sunset 
they drew near what appeared to be a narrow en- 
trance guarded by lofty headlands, and determined 
to run into it for shelter. To their dismay, as they 
rounded the nearest point they found themselves 
drifting into a harbor crowded with junks and 
backed by houses, about which many people seemed 
to be gathered. 

It was evident from a commotion aboard the 
nearest junk that they were already discovered and 
could not escape, even had they been possessed of 
oars. So they lowered their mde sail and allowed 
their boat to drift, while anxiously awaiting what- 
ever fate might hold in store for them. 



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CHAPTER XXIV 

IN A JAPANESE 0UABI>H0U8B 

At the startling sight of shipping, honses, and 
people whore nothing of the kind was expected. 
Bob had hastily resumed his priestly costume, which, 
though laid aside ever since leaving the junk, was 
fortunately close at hand. He could not find his 
white mustache, and by Katto's advice, the pigtail 
that depended from his otherwise bald wig was 
coiled in a knot and concealed beneath an umbreUa* 
like straw bat. Thus arrayed, he sat like an owl, 
gazing solemnly through his round gobies at a 
boat from one of the anchored junks, that was com- 
ing in their direction. 

" Pretty pickle we've got into now," he muttered. 
"I say, Katto, are they Japs? I mean, are they 
your country men ? " 

" Yep. Nippon man." 

"Then they'll kill me if they find out I'm white, 
won't they ? " 

" Mebbe make die. Mebbe make go way in boat. 
No can say," replied the other, despondently. 

** Well, I'm not going to give myself away, at any 
rate. So remember that I'm deaf and dumb. No 
bear, no speak, you understand ? " 



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IN A JAFAHESE GUARD-HOUSE IW 

*' Yep, my know." 

"And I can't see very well either." 

" Seat," warned Katto, with a gesture toward the 
approaching boat. 

So Bob subsided ; and, as the boat ranged along- 
side, itB occupants saw in him only an addle-pated 
old bonze who was gazing contemplatively at his 
own brown-stained and meekly folded hands. With- 
out paying much attention to him, they turned to 
Katto, and plied him with questions as to who he 
was, where he had come from, and how he happened 
to he in a boat of Chinese make. 

Assuming a stiff dignity, the lad refused to r^ly, 
saying that only to the governor of the island would 
he talk. They then tried to extract some informa- 
tion from Bob, but desisted upon learning that he 
was not only deaf, dumb, and nearly blind, but weak- 
minded as well. Katto further insisted that he and 
his companion he at once taken before the governor, 
for whose ear he had information of the utmost im- 
portance. He had not made up his mind as to the 
story he should tell the governor, since that would 
depend entirely upon what sort of a man the latter 
was, but he knew that it would be better to deal 
with one responsible person than attempt to satisfy 
the curiosity of a number. So he stoutly refused, iu 
spite even of threats, to answer questions, and his 
captors were finally persuaded to tow his boat 
ashore. 



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aOO A SON OP SATSmcA 

At the water's edge it was met by a throng o{ 
people eager to learn the news concerning thia 
strange arrival. Among them were a number of 
soldiera ; and when Katto announced in a loud voice 
that he bore a ccnnmnnication for tiie goremor's 
private ear, several of these pressed forward, drove 
back the crowd, and, surrounding the newcomers, 
marched them away, Katto supporting his elderly 
companion and carefully guiding his footsteps. 

Bob, peering through his goggles, saw that they 
were in aa exquisitely neat and tree-shaded village 
of considerable size, though most of its houses 
appeared ridiculously small. The streets, in which 
were neither vehicles nor animals, swarmed with 
people, among whom were many soldiers. Every 
one was on the move, banners and streamers were 
displayed on all sides, and the whole place was so 
pervaded by an air of festivity as to impress even 
Bob's ignorance. "Must be a Japanese Christmas 
or Fourth of July," he thought, " only they are too 
quiet for the last, and the weather isn't quite right 
for Christmas. Hello I I wonder who that funny 
little chap is. He looks like a big doll with eyes 
made to open and shut, but not in very good work- 
ing order. He must be somebody important, though, 
from the way people are getting down on their knees 
in front of him. Reminds me of Farmer Button's 
heathen bowing down before Ba&l." 

The man who thus attracted Bob's attention was 



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IN A JAPANXBE GUABD-HOUSB Ml 

just stepping into a waiting norimono, or upper-clan 
palanquin, as Bob and Katto were marched up to 
him by the soldiers. 

"What is tliis? " he demanded testily. 

"Suspicious characters, your excellent Highnew, 
who have demanded to be brought into tiie honor- 
able presence of the gOTemor," replied one whose 
swords showed him to be aa officer. 

" Take them away and lock them up for the n^ht," 
screamed the gOTemor. " Am I to have do peace in 
life, nor a moment for my own affairs ? Even now 
I go to dine with the most noble lord of Satsuma, 
and without haste I shall be tate. Take them away, 
I say, for I will not be delayed." 

Saluting, the officer wheeled about and led his 
little company to a guard-hooae, where our lads 
were hustled into a stone-walled room before which 
a sentry was stationed. 

Katto's face had assumed a very curious expres- 
sion while he listened to the governor's words, and 
now, when all was quiet, he addressed the man 
standing guard over them. " What meant the gov- 
ernor by saying that he was going to dine with the 
Prince of Satsuma ? " he ashed. 

" What he said," answered the man, shortly. 

" Is he then going to Kagoehima 7" 

"Certainly not, pig of no understanding. He 
merely goes as far as the palace of Shiru, where the 
great prince lays his head." 



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303 A SON OF 8AT8CUA 

" Here, on tbis island ? " demanded Katto, inoEedit 
loUBly. 

" Of course ; why not ? " 

" How comes the prince here ? " 

"To visit his loyal subjects. Why not? Is it 
displeasing to you, little pig ? If so, you would do 
well to notify his Highness, that he may hastily 
leave," chuckled the soldier. 

*'I will notify him, and you shall bear my mes- 
<wge," cried Katto, stepping toward the sentry with 
olazing eyee and quivering features. 

" Ho, ho ! " sneered the soldier, " we shall see. 
Stand back, or I shall be obliged to kill you." 

So saying, he assumed a threatening attitude, with 
his short spear brought to a charge ; but Katto 
regarded it no more than if it had been a blade of 
graaa. Uttering the single word " Hinin " (outcast) 
with an accent of sopremest scorn, he pushed the 
weapon aside, and planting himself squarely before 
the bewildered soldier, opened an upper fold of his 
own robe. 

The man gave a single glance, and then staggered 
back as though shot. In another moment he was on 
his knees, with forehead touching the ground. 

" Rise," commanded Katto, at the same time kick- 
ing the prostrate figure ; and the man arose, trembling. 
Katto uttered a few more sharp words, and the 
soldier fled from the building with the haste of one 
who is pursued by a deadly fear. 



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IN A JAPANESE GUARD-HOUSE 903 

"Well, if that don't beat anything I ever saw or 
heard of I " remarked Bob, who had drawn near, ready 
to spring to hia friend's assistance in event of a con- 
flict. "You simply paralysed him, old man, bat 
how did you do it, and what comes next on the 
programme ? " 

To our lad*8 amazement, his friend Katto, who here* 
tofore had always responded so promptly and with 
SQch unlfonn courtesy to his questions, now took no 
noldce of him, but paced up and down the narrow 
room in a state of extreme agitation. Bob stared at 
him curiously for a moment, and then realizing that 
he was in no mood for conversation, retired to a 
corner and sat down to await developments. 

The great Prince of Satsuma, ruler of the most 
southerly province of Dai Nippon (kingdom of 
Japan) and nominal Lord of the Loo Ghoos, one of 
the most powerful and prt^essive of Daimioa, had 
for reasons of state been voyaging among the latter 
islands. He had gone as far south aa the great IjOO 
Choo, where he had been regally entertained, and now 
on his homeward way was making a brief stop on 
the island of Oshima, which he proposed leaving 
on the following day. The fat little governor of 
Oshima was greatly excited over the visit of the all- 
powerful prince, and had very nearly lost the few 
wits he had ever possessed in attempting to entertain 
him with becoming dignity and a proper etiquette. 
He had walked backward before the great man until 



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IM A BON OF 8ATBDHA 

he had tripped oa his own skirta and rolled in 
Uie dust. He had worn a patch of skin from bis 
shining forehead by bumping it against the ground 
in token of his humility. In bis nervousness he had 
poured a tiny cup of scalding tea over his noble 
guest and had nearly put out his eyes in attempting 
to hold an umbrella over the august head. These 
and a hundred other things he had done, bnt all had 
been forgiven, and at last he was to be rewarded for 
his efforts by a banquet given in his honor by the 
prince himself. 

The feast was spread and the guests were seated, 
oroes-legged, on soft mats, each with a tiny table 
before him. The puffy little governor, as the guest 
of honor found himself at the left hand of the host. 
It was the proudest moment of his life ; and to em- 
phasize it, he began to tell of the incident that had 
so nearly delayed his coming. 

"They had the impudence to demand a hearii^f 
at the very time when I was setting forth to pay my 
respeots to your most noble Excellency," he said, 
** those pigs who came from no man knows where in 
the sea. But I closed their ill-favored mouths in a 
hurry, and consigued them to a place of such strength 
that it is certain they will be found when wanted. 
At the proper time they shall be t&i^ht the respect 
due a representative of your never-to-be-excelled-in- 
all-the-world Highuess, I can promise you, for in no 
portion of the sun-kissed domain of my lord of 



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IN A JAFANE88 GOABD-HOUSB 206 

Satsuma is respect for his authoi-ity so rigidly exacted 
as ilk his most honorable island of Oshima." 

" Indeed," remarked the prince, with abaent-miiided 
politeness, "they must be cariosities, these people 
who came from the sea, and I should like to look 
upon them." 

(' Of course, if the most Illustrious wishes, though 
I must warn Mm that a sight of such loathsome 
objects would be most unpleasant. One of them is a 
crazy bonze, and the other an ill-favored youth of 
the lowest class. But — " 

Here the governor's oily patter of words was cut 
short by the arrival of a soldier who forced his way 
into the hall and prostratii^ himself before the 
prince, uttered a few impetuous sentences, overheard 
by no one else. 

"What I In vermilion, say you I " cried the prince, 
springing to his feet in sudden and unwonted excite- 
ment. " Lead me to him instantly." 

With this he rushed from the banquet hall, leaving 
his astonished guests to gaze at one another in 
speechless bewilderment. A handful of the prince's 
body-guard, noting this- sudden departure, hastily 
followed him, and one of them bore a lighted torch. 

Two minutes later, a voice full and Strong but 
trembling with emotion called at the guard-house 
entrance : " The Shimadzu, where is he ? " 

For answer a slender form sprai^ forth frcon the 
darkness, crying : — 



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MM A SON OF SATSCHA, 

" Here am I, my father," and in an instant the 
Prince of Satsoma was straining a long-lost son to 
his bosom, while dovn his stern face streamed the 
first teats that he had known since childhood. 



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CHAPTER XXV 

THE PBINOB OF SATBUKA 

All this time our friend Bob, still UDComfortably 
di^uised as a bonze, had no more idea of what was 
taking place, than he had of the religion he was sup- 
posed to represent. He of course realized that Katto 
had exerted some strong influence over the soldier 
set to guard them, and had wondered at it ; hut then 
Katto had been growing so mysterious ever since 
they reached Canton that almost anything might be 
expected of him. Still, it was somewhat surprising 
to see his friend rush into the arms of the middle- 
E^ed gentleman who was now embracing and weep- 
ing over him. He must be a stranger, of course, for 
only two hours earlier Katto had not known that the 
island was even inhabited ; but it seemed funny for 
strangers to act that way even if they did lire on tiie 
other side of the world- 
All at once Katto disengaged himself from his 
father's arms, and pointing to where Bob stood, said 
in a low tone, of course in Japanese : " It must not 
be forgotten in our own exalted happiness, that one 
here is my best of friends, and also my life-saver. 
But for him I should never have come to thee, oh 
my father." 



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MB A SON OF SAT8UMA 

"Brin^ him to me, my eon, that I may know him ; 
for if he is U17 frieodf I am his friend, and in saving 
thy life he haa aaved mine a hundred times." 

Then Katto led his comrade forward^ whispering 
to him, "It is my father. Bob San, the Prince, of 



Bob ooold hardly believe that he heard ari^t. 

" YoDT father a Prince of Satsoma," he stammered, 
slightly holding back; "why didn't yoa tell me, 
Katto? I don't know how to meet a prince." 

But be was already face to tao& with the great 
man, who was smiling on him through the tears that 
still glistened in his eyes. Being overcome with 
amaze and embarrassment, and having no idea of the 
social requirements of the mtuation, but realizing 
that the utmost of his politeness was demanded. Bob 
seized one of the daimio's hands, and as he heartily 
shook it, exclaimed : — 

"I'm awfully glad to make your acquaintance. 
Prince, for Katto and I have sailed shipmates so 
long that I feel aa though any of his folks were the 
same as my own. I must say, though, that this is a 
surprise." 

" Is he Ei^lish? " asked the daimio, gazing at the 
supposed bonze in consternation. 

" No, my father, be is of the powerful and most 
honorable nation called American," replied Katto. 

" Say it not aloud," warued the prince, at the same 
time caatii^ a hurried glance over his shoolder, to 



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THR NaSCK OF SATSUHA SW 

obserre if any were withia hearing. Fortunately 
none of the great man's followers had dared approach 
within earshot, and thus Bob's identity remiuned 
undiscovered. 

"Let him, for a time, remain a bonze without 
hearing or speech, as he has already appeared," added 
the daimio ; and Katto translating this request to Bob, 
the latter nodded his head in token of understanding. 

Then the prince led them away to tiie palace 
where he was lodged, and where his guests, con- 
sumed with curiosity, but not daring to move until 
he should dismiss them, still sat in the banquet hall, 
anxiously awaiting his return. 

There was much profound bowing as he reap- 
peared, and led the two young men to the upper end 
of the room. There they stood on either side of him 
while he addressed the assembled company. 

" So long ^o that since then the cherry trees have 
twice bloBsomed," he said,"! sent this, my son," — 
here he placed a hand affectionately on Katto*s 
shoulder — '* forth on his travels that he might dis- 
cover the vastness of our country. From end to end 
of it was he to go, from the land of the hairy Aiaos 
in the far north, to the great island of man-eaters in 
the south, that the glory of the sun-round flag might be 
known to him. Among the islands of the Riv Kiv he 
innocently incurred the displeasure of Fu-Ten (the 
wind god), who beat his ship to pieces. But the lad 
calling upon Kuanon, she sent a bonze to save him. 



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910 A SON OP SATSUHA 

aad after many adventures they reached this place 
with the going down of to-day's Ban. Not knowing 
of his father's presence, my son demanded to he 
taken before the governor, to whom he would de> 
ctare bis name, with the not surprising hope of being 
hospitably entertuned. But the governor, who is 
commanded to give ear at all times, and under all 
circumstances, to petitions, no matter how humble, 
was too busy to listen to my son, and cast him into 
prison, there to await bis leisure. A soldier, who is 
also the samurai IcM no Butzo, discovered the lad 
in this infamous prison, and brought me word that 
he whom I bad mourned as dead was not only alive, 
but close at hand. I went to him, and have returned, 
bringing him, together with the good bonze sent by 
Kuanon to save his life. Now, my friends, what 
cdiould be done with a ruler who, because of the 
prospect of a dinner, refused to listen to a petition, 
and so sent the son of his prince to prison ? " 

By this time the wretched governor was prtMtrate 
before the dalmio, begging for mercy. 

*' He should lose his head," shouted the guests in 
chorus. 

*"■ In which case he would die before he had learned 
the lesson of life," objected the daimio. "No; he 
shall live, but d^^raded from the rank of those who 
rule, to the lowest caste of them who are ruled. He 
shall become binin, and thus outeast for the rest of 
hit days." 



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THE PBIKCE OF SATSUHA Sll 

As the man grovelling on the floor heard this terri- 
ble sentence, he gained bis feet and, with a great cry, 
rushed from the hall. 

" That for the punishment of an unjust ruler," said 
the Prince of Satsuma; *' now for the reward of a faith- 
ful servant. From this moment shall the samunu 
Ichi no Butzo be governor of Osbima. Let the news 
be proclaimed, and let this banquet prepared for the 
unjust ruler be carried to its end in honor of him 
whose service has been rewarded. As for me, I will 
withdraw with my son, knowing that such a thing 
will be permitted by the honorable guests assembled." 

With these words, the prince passed from the ban- 
quet hall to his private apartments, taking the two 
young men with him. Not until they had been fur- 
nished with a bath, fresh clothing, and food, did he 
question them. Then, with all attendants dismissed, 
he demanded and received from Katto a full account 
of what had befallen him during his wanderings, 
and when the long account was ended, he not oidy 
embraced his son, but Bob Whiting as well. 

"Thy adventures, my son, are as wonderful as 
those of Nitta Yosbisada of blessed memory," he said ; 
"and when they may be published will make thy 
name famous throughout the land. As for thy friend 
of the white skin, it is a privilege to know him, though 
his honorable presence here ia a danger to us all. 
Nevertheless, for what he has done in saving a Shi- 
madzu, not only from death, but from slavery, he shall 



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SIS A SON OF SATSTTHA 

be protected from barm by the foil power of the 
Satsutna, and eaterttuaed aa an hooored gaeet until 
8Qch time as a safe departore to his ovn coontry may 
be effected. Now, my bods, let us sleep, for on the 
morrow we depart." 

Thus it happened that Farmer Button's one-time 
bound boy became the guest of a Japaaese daimio 
whoee son was already his best friend, and when he 
left the island of Oshima, to which he had come as a 
castaway only to be immediately thrust into prison, 
he was borne to the shore in a silken-cortiuned palan- 
quin that followed directly after that of the prince. 
A barge of state conveyed him to tiie largest junk of 
the Satsuma fleet, on which a luxuriously furnished 
cabin had been set apart for his use. It being deemed 
best that he should keep out of s^^ht as much as pos- 
wble, he remained in this cabin during the whole of 
the short voyage that ended that same evening in the 
harbor of Kagoshimo. There he was taken ashore 
and carried in another palanquin to the castle of the 
dfumio, where Katto, who had preceded him, was 
wiuting in the middle gateway, or entrance of honor, 
to bid him welcome. It was all so like a fantastic 
dream that Bob almost expected to awake from it 
and find himself in the little attic room at Farmer 
Dutton's, or turning out with his watch on board the 
FriendtMp. It was absolutely incredible that he, 
Bob Whiting, should have entered the forbidden 
kingdom, which, so far as he knew, held no other 



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THE PBDICE OF SATSUHA «S 

of tu8 race, as the honored gaeet of one of its most 
powerful princes. 

Probably under no other auspices could such a 
thing have happened ; for in all Japan, the Prince of 
Satsuma was the only one of his class sufficiently 
progressive, bold, and powerful, to assume the risk 
of harboring a foreigner. Even he dared not do so 
openly, and took every precaution to conceal the 
identity of his guest, for the Japanese people had 
learned to hate foreigners so bitterly that the ma- 
jority of them would have killed one at sight without 
waiting for official authority. Realizing this, Bob 
submitted to have his whole body stained brown, and 
allowed his head to be shaved in the most approved 
Japanese style. As the color of his eyes could not 
be changed, he continued to wear dark goggles, and 
of course he dressed in Japanese costume. He ac- 
quired the language with facility and, that he might 
use it freely, it was given out that through constant 
prayers to Buddha his powers of hearing and speech 
were gradually being restored. 

Bob's time was by no means spent in idleness ; for, 
besides studying Japanese customs and language and 
taking long horseback rides with Katto, he found 
himself regularly employed as a teacher of English 
to half a dozen young Shimadzn nobles who assem- 
bled every morning to learn of his wisdom. 

At that time Japan was governed by two rulers. 
A Mikado or Emperor was the nominal ruler, but 



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S14 A SON OF SATSUMA 

he was controlled by the Shogun, — afterwards called 
"Tycoon," — or general of his army, who was thus 
the actual ruler. Naturally, under such conditioas, 
the people of the country were divided between two 
great parties, one of which stood for progress, wished 
to have the Mikado resume his full powers, and 
favored a certain amount of foreign learning. The 
other party, that of the Shogun, preferred that 
things should remain as they were, and resisted alt 
attempts at change, or the introduction of foreign 
ideas. 

Now it happened that the Prince of Satsuma was 
a leader of the progressive party, and desired above 
all things to have his beloved country take an hon- 
orable place among the world's great nations. His 
pet project was to send abroad — secretly, of course 
— a number of bright young nobles who should 
study in America, England, France, or Germany, 
and in course of time return to Uieir own Japan, 
ready to use the education thus gained to the best 
advantage. He planned that his own son Katto 
should be one of these, and had already chosen half 
a dozen others to accompany him. As yet, however, 
no way had been found to get them out of Japan, 
nor was the prince himself sufficiently acquainted 
with the outside world to know where to send them 
if their escape could be effected. 

Thus the coming into his very household of a 
young American who could at least instruct in 



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THE FBINCE OF SAT8DHA 316 

English speech, reading, and writing the eager 
youth selected to be Japan's pioneers into the world, 
was little short of a miracle of which he meant to 
take the fullest advantage. So, to the amazement of 
Bob Whiting, whose greatest ambition was an educa- 
tion, he found himself acting as teacher to a lot of 
young men who regarded him as a fountain of all 
knowledge, treated him with the utmost deference, 
and addressed him as *' Professor." That is, they 
called him "Senshi," which means elder bom or 
teacher, tiiough in point of years some of them were 
older than he. 



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CHAPTER XXyi 



Thb oatfiide world was becoming very curious 
about Japan. So many stories were current concern- 
ing the wonders and wealth of the hermit nation, 
that all others longed to penetrate its guarded mys- 
teries and witness its marvels. They also wanted 
to trade with it, and open its closed ports as harbors 
of refuge and supply. 

When Oolumbns discovered America, he was try- 
ing to reach Japan, or "Zipangu," as it was then 
called. Although he failed, his way being barred 
by the vast continent, of whose very existence he 
was ignorant until it rose from the sea to oppose his 
farther prt^ress, others who succeeded him in the 
same quest not only reached Japan, but were hos- 
pitably received by its people. For more than a 
century were the foreigners allowed to come and go 
as they pleased. So outrageously did they abuse 
these privileges that they were finally withdrawn, 
and Japan, sufficient unto herself, refused to have 
any further dealings with the outer world. For two 
centuries she succeeded in maintaining her privacy. 
England, Russia, France, and Spain tried to invade 



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A HERHIT NATION aiT 

it, and failed. She would have nothing to do vith 
them. 

In the meantime a new nation had sprang into 
existence on the continent discovered by Colnmbus, 
and had grown until it spread from the Atlantic 
to the Pacific. Then, looking across to the farther 
shore, this youngest nation, the only one who had 
never abused Japan's hospitality, invited an inter- 
change of confidence. But Japan had sufifered 
greatly, and was not anxious to treat with any 
foreigners. Besides, these new people spoke Eng- 
lish, and were therefore objects of suspicion. So 
the friendly advances were declined. 

A Japanese junk was blown off the coast and 
wrecked, bnt its crew were picked up, and carried 
to Canton. Here, thought certain American mer- 
chants, was an opportunity for making a favorable 
acquaintance with the Japanese people, and perhaps 
of securing their grateful friendship. So they 
chartered the American merchantman, Morrisotiy to 
carry the castaways to their own country. In evi- 
dence of her peaceful mission, the Sforrison waa 
stripped of her battery, and sailed without offensive 
weapons of any kind on board. 

Proceeding to the Japanese coast, she confidently 
entered the bay of Yedo, and sailed toward the capi- 
tal city until she was stopped by a number of guard- 
boats that surrounded her and forbade her further 
progress. Then a Japanese official went on board, 



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318 A SON OF SAT8UMA 

learned her humane errand, discovered that ahe was 
unarmed, and took his departure. Early the next 
day she was, without warning, fired upon from a 
shore battery commanding her anchorage. At this, 
her captain took his departure and sailed for another 
Japanese port, where his ship was ^ain fired upon, 
and he was ordered to leave or run the risk of total 
destruction. So he returned to Canton and reported 
the failure of this first American attempt to win 
Japanese friendship. 

Six years after this the United States goremment 
sent two men-of-war, the Colwrnbut and the Vt-ncennet, 
under Captain James Biddle, to open negotiations 
with Japan, if it were possible to do so without using 
force. These ships also sailed into the bay of Yedo 
and remained there ten days surrounded by guard- 
boats that forbade all communication with the shore. 
At the end of that time a message was received from 
the Shogun to the effect that neither trade nor inter- 
course with the United States was desired ; and with 
this curt answer. Captain Biddle was forced to sail 
away. 

The next visit of a United States ship was made 
three years later, when the frigate Preble, Captain 
Glynn, was sent to demand iha release of sixteen 
American seamen, who, wrecked on the Japanese 
coast, had been held in close confinement, with harsh 
treatment, for a year and a half. The Preble entered 
the harbor of Nagasaki and was opposed by the usual 



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A HERMIT SATJON S19 

oordoQ of goard-boatB, from which she was ordered 
to leave, but having a fine breeze and a clear con- 
Bciance, Captain Glynn held his course, broke through 
(he guard line, and continued up the bay until he 
reached an anchorage that suited him. 

At firaf the Japanese treated with contempt a de- 
maud for the release of their prisoners, and attempted 
to frighten the Americans away. They established 
batteries on the blufFs commanding the Prebh'$ an- 
chorage until more than sixty heavy guns were point- 
ing their black muzzles in that direction. They also 
poured thousands of soldiers into Nagasaki. At this, 
Captain Glynn became provoked and sent word ashore 
that if the men he desired were not on board his ship 
by noon of the following day, he should immediately 
report to hiS government that Japan had declared 
war against the United States. As a result the ship- 
wrecked seamen were restored to their countrymen 
an hour before the time limit expired. With them 
thus happily on board, the PreUe saluted the Impe- 
rial flag and peacefully departed. She was the last 
American ship seen in those waters up to the time of 
Bob Whiting's arrival at Kagoshima, and it was be- 
lieved by most of the Japanese that no other would 
ever dare enter their porta. 

But the people of the rising sun reckoned without 
a knowledge of the young western giant, who, having 
leaped across bis continent, now sat by its golden gate 
looking out over the Pacific and planning steamship 



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220 A SON OP SATSUHA 

lines to Asia.. An open Japan had become a neces- 
sity to the conunerce of America. Captain Downea 
had seen this and had written to Washington on the 
subject. Other navy men had also seen it, and the 
opening of Japan was a favorite topic for discussion 
at the wardroom mess of every United States ship. 
Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry, brother to 
Oliver Hazard Perry, who in 1813 won the battle of 
Lake Ene, had for years been a close student of con- 
ditions in the far East and had read everything* he 
could get hold of pertaining to Japan. He longed 
to visit that country, and at length, when ordered to 
the command of the American Asiatic Station, applied 
for permission to try and negotiate a treaty with the 
hermit nation. The President thought so well of 
this scheme that he not only gave him authority to 
attempt it, but intrusted him with a personal letter 
to the Emperor of Japan and charged him with its 
delivery. 

Commodore Perry had fought through two wars ; 
but never in all the years of his eventful life had 
he embarked upon any undertaking so important as 
the present. By the world at lai^, the commercial 
opening of Japan was considered as difficult an 
achievement as the discovery of the North Pole. 
Men of all nations had tried it, only to meet with 
failure, and success would carry with it enduring 
fame. 

So Matthew Perry meant to carry that letter from 



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A HBBHIT NATION 821 

his Presitleiit to the Emperor of Japan if he had to 
fight his ships the whole length of Yedo Bay to do 
it. At the same time he believed he could accom* 
plish his purpose by more peaceful methods. With 
high hopes, and attended by the best wishes of his 
countrymen, the gallant commodore set forth from 
Annapolis one fine November day in the side-wheeler 
Miggiatippi, the first steam frigate ever built for the 
United States navy ; while her sister ship, the Pow- 
hatan, was under orders to follow as soon as she could 
be got ready for sea. 

In the meantime, our young friend, Boh Whiting, 
bad been a resident of Japan for so long, and had 
become so identified with the hotisehold of Satsama, 
that he was no longer regarded as a stranger. The 
ddmio had conceived a great liking for him and 
sought every opportunity to engage him in conversa- 
tion from which he might extract further knowledge 
of the ontside world. 

During one of these talks the prince asked his 
guest if he would be content to spend the remainder 
of his life in Japan, or if he were still desirous of re- 
turning to his own people. 

" I have no own people," replied Bob. 

"No father nor mother, no brother nor sister?" 
queried the prince. 

"No, your honorable Highness, I hare none of 
those ; my parents being dead and I having been an 
only child." 



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US A SON OF BAT80HA 

** Hien, my dear youi^; friend," cried the generoas- 
heaited daimio, "from this time forth let me be 
your father, and be you to me as a son. I know 
that Katto already loves you as a brother, and would 
joyfully welcome you as such in reality as well as in 
name. - Shall it be as I desire, even from this very 
minute, my son ? " 

For a moment Bob did not reply ; but a suspicious 
mcHsture dimmed his eyes as he realized the groat 
kindness and sincere affection that prompted tbis 
offer. 

" Is not the proposition to your liking ? " asked 
the daimio, in a tone of disappointment, as he noted 
the lad's hesitation. 

" Yes, my lord, indeed it is," cried Bob, " and 
I thank yon a thousand times for the unheard-of 
kindness of your offer. There is no one in all the 
world whom I would rather call father than you ; 
while long ago Katto and I swoie to be to each othei 
as brothers. It is not that. It is only — " 

" What ? " asked the other. " Fear not to speak 
freely. I shall not take offence." 

'* Then," replied Bob, " it is this : while it is true 
that I have neither father nor mother, brother nor 
sister, I still have a country that I love and long to 
revisit. This land of Dai Nippon is very pleasant, 
and I love it, bat not as I love my own country, which 
I cannot give up even for the honor of being your 
son." 



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A HERHIT NATION K3 

*' It voold DOt be needful," answered the prince, 
smiling at the lad's eameBtness. " It would only be 
that you would have two cotmtries instead of one. 
It has long been my desire that Katto should go out 
into the great world and learn of its wiBdom. I am 
grateful for the misadventure of his first voyage, 
that carried him so far as he went. But I wish him 
to go still farther, even to your country, and there 
remain until he has learned whatever its wise men 
may be willing to teach him. I mean that he shall 
do this as soon as an opportunity offers ; but if he 
goes alone, he will be friendless in a strange land. 
Therefore I seek for him a compMiion who shall be 
at onoe friend, guide, and brother, who is acquainted 
with the strange land, its people and their ways, and 
who will so lead him that trouble may not follow. 
You are of that people and land, also you are of this. 
You know the ways of both. But you have told me 
that in America you were friendless and without the 
means of attaining the learning you desire. Now, 
then, why may we not give to each other ? You of 
your wisdom and friendship for Katto ; I of my 
name and wealth. Would it not be easier for you 
to gain what you desire even in that distant land if 
you sought it as a prince of the Sbimadzu and a son 
of Satsuma ? " 

" Indeed it would, my lord," cried Bob, his eyoa 
s'lining with excitement, "but I could never carry it 
out. I should not know how to act as a prince." 



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284 A SOK OF S&T8UHA 

" A prince is but human," replied the daimio, " and 
the tricka of his trade are easily learned. Katto could 
quickly teach you all that is needful for this country, 
while in yonr own yon have said that there are no 
princes." 

" No, there are none ; or if there are, they are only 
known as simple gentlemen." 

" And are you not a gentleman ? " 

" I try to be," answered Bob, Sushing, " and I am 
at least of gentle birth." 

"There is then no reason why you should not 
become my adopted son, and every reason why you 
should," said the other. " Therefore, from this time 
forth shall you be known as a prince of the Shimadzu 
and a son of Satauma." 



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CHAPTER XXVII 

THE INITIATION OF BOB 

The daimio of Satsuma was not afraid to make 
pablio anything that he chose to do, and had no idea 
of concealing from the world the fact that he had 
taken to himself a new son. So the formal act of 
Robert Whiting's adoption was made an occasion for 
much display, ceremonial feasting, and general rejoic- 
ing. All the Samurai of the clan were invited to be 
present that they might meet the new Shimadzu, 
prisoners were set free, and presents were distributed 
among the poor. As the time was also that of the 
Feast of Fl^s, the most popular of all Japanese 
mateuri or festivals, the entire population of Kago- 
shima took part in welcoming the adopted son of 
their prince. At this feast it is customary for every 
house in which a son has been born during the past 
year to make known the fact by displaying a gayly 
colored paper fish depending by a string from a tall 
bamboo. From the daimio's caatle, therefore, floated 
a huge fish made of tough paper overlaid with gold 
leaf that glistened in the sunlight, swam with the 
wind, and announced to the world that there was a 
new son of Satsuma. 



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SM A SON OF SATSUHA 

EveryTbere painted, embroidered in gold thread, 
carved, and emblazoned in every conceivable manneT 
on houses, banners, silken garments, sword hilts, and 
saddles appeared the ancient emblem of the Shimadzu, 
a cross inscribed within a circle, — in reality a horse's 
bit ring, — and the most solemn part of the whole 
ceremony of adoption was the imprinting of this sym- 
bol on Bob's breast. Our lad had objected to being 
tattooed ; but when he reflected upon the power- 
ful influence exerted by Katto's similar mark, he 
Anally consented to wear it stained in vermilion on 
his body. Although he had not known it at the time, 
a recognition of that emblem by Po Adam had saved 
Katto's life and set him free to go in search of his 
friend in Sumatra. It had enlisted the services of 
the Canton merchant, and had transformed into a 
humble servant, eager to do his young chief's bidding, 
the sentry set to guard them on Oshima. So the 
vermilion seal that should forever mark Robert Whit- 
ing as belonging to the noble family of Satfiuma was 
imprinted on his body, and with solemn vows he 
promised never to disgrace it by act or word, and to 
serve with his life, if necessary, any person wearing 
it. 

The concluding feature of the ceremony was the 
young man's investment with the two swords that 
should everywhere and at all times proclaim bis 
rank. The weapons used on this occasion were most 
exquisite specimens of the sword-maker's art, encased 



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THE INITIATIOK OF BOB M 

in scabbards of inlaid red lacquer, and having the 
Shimadzu creet emblazoned in gold on their shark- 
skin hilta. They were a gift from Katto ; who, when 
he had thrust them into Bob'a silken girdle, embraced 
his newly made brother and kissed him on both cheeks, 
much to our lad'e embarrassment. 

The festival of rejoicing lasted for several days, 
and Bob was heartily thankful when it was all over. 
He still wore in public his disguising goggles, and 
his whole body was freshly stained brown every 
month to conceal from the world at large that he 
was of white blood. The immediate family of the 
prince, as well as Bob's pupils in English, had known 
this from the first, and had on that account always 
treated him with a certain degree of reserve. Now, 
however, this disappeared, and the young nobles who 
had regarded him only as an instructor in something 
they wished to learn, became his intimate friends, 
eager to serve him and to initiate him into the secrets 
of their order. 

They tat^ht him sword play, and impressed upon 
him the various nice points of sword etiquette. 
They warned him never to withdraw a sword from 
its sheath in presence of a friend except upon special 
request, or in an emergency ; as to exhibit a drawn 
sword was equivalent to a threat. They explained 
that, in order to challenge a person to mortal combat, 
all one had to do was, turn his back on his enemy 
and allow their scabbards to clash. Upon the pass- 



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aS» A SON OF SATSUHA 

ing of this deadly insult they must immediately fight 
until one or the other was dead. 

They posted him as to how he might take a most 
cruel and satisfactory revenge upon an enemy hy 
simply ripping open his own howels, which act they 
called hararkiri, or happy despatch. They even 
taught him how to cut oS bis own head, which, they 
said, was a thing he would naturally desire to do if 
defeated in hattle. 

All this greatly interested Bob, though the idea of 
being a fighting possibility, and wishing to cut off 
bis own head, caused him much secret amusement, as 
did the simple scheme seriously proposed for securing 
a satisfactory revenge on one's enemy. 

In spite of their sanguinary ideas and conversa- 
tion, he enjoyed the company of these merry, kindly 
hearted Japanese youths, and found in it frequent 
forgetfulnesB of the homesickness for his own country 
that grew on him the longer he remained away. He 
often discossed with Katto their chances for making 
the educational visit to the United States that both 
of them BO eagerly anticipated. Sometimes the 
daimio himself joined in these conversations ; bttt as 
yet time was not ripe for the undertaking. 

All at once this pleasant life at Kagoshima was 
interrupted hy an imperative order from the Shogun 
to the Prince of Satsuma, that the latter'a family 
shonld immediately take up residence in Yedo for an 
indefinite length of time. This was in accordance 



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THE INITUTION OF BOB 2S» 

Trith a preoaution adopted by the Shoguns of always 
having within iheir power hostages for the alle- 
gi&Qoe of the daimios. The mandate stated very 
politely that, owing to the reported loss of his only 
son, the Lord of Satsuma had for a long time been 
without a family representative at the capital. 
Mow, however, it having reached the Shogim's ears, 
not only that his son had been marrellously restored 
to him, but that he had adopted another who was a 
stranger to court, it would be esteemed a favor if he 
would permit both the young men to occupy, for a 
tdme, the Satsuma yashiki in Yedo. 

The Prince of Satsuma fretted and fumed over 
this order ; for in spite of its politeness of tone, he 
knew that it was meant to be promptly obeyed. 
Otherwise an army would be sent to fetch the young 
men, and himself as well. If such an army should 
be successful in its mission, he and his sons, together 
with all his family connections, would be beheaded. 
If it failed, the whole country would be plunged into 
civil war, an event for which he was not yet prepared. 
So be must submit, and with a heavy heart he started 
the young men on their long northward journey. 

Travelling on horseback. Bob and Katto were fol- 
lowed by two kagos, or open palanquins, to which 
they could change whenever they felt so inclined, an 
imposing retinue of guards and servants, and a long 
trun of pack-horses. Thus escorted, and being 
everywhere received with the utmost respect and 



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m A SON or sATsmu 

most friendly hospitality, they made a bIov bat 
pleasant progress from Kagoshima to the port of 
Okada, at the northern end of Kiosin islimd. 
There they embarked in waiting junks, and for an- 
other week floated amid the enchanted scenes of 
the loland Sea, the most exquisitely beautiful land- 
locked body of salt water in the world, until at 
length they came to the bustling city of Osaka. 
Here, after a brief stay in the Satsuma yashiki, or 
residence such as the leading daimios always main- 
ttuned in the chief cities of the kingdom, they again 
took to the road, and soon found themselves on the 
Tokaido, or great national highway of Japan that 
connected the two capitals, Kioto and Yedo. 

It was a magnificent thoroughfare more than two 
hundred years old, broad and smooth, lined with an- 
cient pine trees, and traversiDg an almost unbroken 
succession of villages strung along its length like 
beads on a thread. Tea-houses, bath-houses, and 
relay stations, in which the traveller could find Test 
and refreshment, fresh pack>horses and palanquin- 
bearers, appeared at frequent intervals, while he was 
rardy beyond hearing of the bronze temple bells, 
whose mellow notes sounded from the cool shade of 
sacred groves. Stretching away on either side as 
far as the eye could reach were fields of rice and 
millet, tea or yams, all irrigated, all under intense 
cultivation, and most of them agreeably diversified 
by clumps of feathery bamboos. 



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THE rarriATlOK of bob Ml 

Along the great highway ewept two opposing and 
unbroken streams of travel ; the gorgeous proces- 
sions of proud daimios, long strings of heavily 
laden, straw-shod pack-horses, naked coolies bending 
beneath burdens of country produce, soldiers, sleek 
priests, prosperons-lookit^ merchants, b^^rs, show- 
men, tinkers and peddlers — the whole life of the 
hermit nation passing in unconscious review before 
the eyes of the one to-jin (foreigner) who was there 
to see it. 

And Boh enjoyed it all immensely : the life, the 
color, the constant movement without confusion or 
distressing noise, the long noonday halts in shaded 
tea-gardens, and the moonlit evenings in the rest 
houses, where dainty geisha girls sang, danced, or 
drew plaintive notes from tinkling samisens for the 
entertainment of the young men. He enjoyed the 
happy, rollicking children, always in evidence, who 
seemed never to cry or to quarrel ; who treated 
their elders with deference and those younger than 
themselves with loving forbearance. He enjoyed 
crossing the rivers in clumsy, flat-bottomed ferry- 
boats, put together without a nail or bit of metal 
work, but capable of transporting any number of 
men and horses that could crowd into them, besides 
immense quantities of goods. 

Katto also enjoyed the journey and found great 
pleasure in ezpliuning to his companion everything 
that they saw. Always, however, their happiness 



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ttS A SON 09 8AT8D1IA. 

was marred by the thought that each step was 
taking them farther away from their muoh-deeired 
trip to America. They did not discuss this for 
fear of being overheard; but each knew the other's 
thoughts on the subject and sympathized with him. 

At length they crossed the picturesque Hakone 
range and came within sight of glorious Mount Fuji, 
lifting his snow-crowned head twelve thousand feet 
above sea-level. 

On that same day two breathless government 
runners whizzed past them, going in the same direc- 
tion with themselves, and at the next relay statjon 
they found everybody in a high state of excitement 
over the neWs that was beii^ borne from N^^asaki 
to Yedo. A fleet of foreign warships had been 
spending some time among the Loo Choo islands ; and 
at last accounts were about to start for greater Japan, 
though which port they would enter was not known. 
Nor could it be told if their intentions were peaceful 
or hostile. But the whole country was to be aroused, 
all ports were to be carefully watched and guarded, 
and all Japan must bold itself in readiness to fly to 
arms, in resistance of the threatened invasion of ite 
privacy. 

Here was news to stir one's blood, and afford 
ample topic for speculation. Of what nationality 
could the strangers be ? Katto thought it most 
probable that they were Russians; while Bob stud 
English. Doubtless they would learn all about them 



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THE nnriATioN of bob sn 

in Tedff, aad this hope cauaed our lads to press im- 
patiently forward^ 

As they advanced, the esoltement grew, beacon 
fires hlazed from the bill-tops at night, and hurrying 
troops thronged Hm roads by day. Finally, word 
was home froni mouth to mouth, like wildfire, that 
four monstrous ships, pouring forth smoke like 
volcanoes, and moving with great speed direetly 
gainst the wind, had aotually entered Y«do Bay, 
and might already he seen from the he^^hts of Uraga. 
As this point was close at hand, Katto aad Bob, 
bidding their followers awEut their return, headed 
their horses in that direction, and joined the excited 
throngs hastening to eiri»h a glimpse of the fire- 
breathing monsters. 



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CHAPTER XXVm 

A YANKEE FEIGATE SHOWS THE WAT 

** It is the flag of &e United States ! The dear 
old stars and stripes ! Ob, Katto, my broUier, they 
are Americans ! They are my own people I " 

Thus exclaimed Bob Whiting as, with tears of 
onoontroUable emotion streaming down his cheeks, 
he stood on the crest of an eminence just guncd^ and 
with eager gaze took in the thrilling spectacle un- 
folded before him. 

Four great black warships, two of them steam 
frigates, displaying from every masthead and peak 
the starry banner of tiie western Republic, were 
moving grandly up the bay toward an anchorage ofF 
the town of Uraga. A fleet of government guard- 
boats that evidently had tried in vain to check their 
pn^resB, but had been passed and left behind, 
streamed after them. The ships were cleared for 
action, with gnn-ports triced up, ammunition served, 
and every man of tiieir swarming crews at his 
assigned post of duty. They were the United States 
steam frigates Sfunttippi and Su^uehanna, and the 
sloops of war Plymovik and Saratoga, It was the 
squadron of Commodore Matthew Perry, and he had 



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A TASESE FRIGATB SHOWS THE WAT SSS 

eome to opea Japan to the world. Would ha 
succeed ? Not if the Japanese could preveut him. 

As our lads, quireriug with escitemeut, watched 
this mighty progress, the paddle-wheels of the Stu- 
guehanna ceased to revolve, and they heard the roar 
of a great chain cable through its hawse as her pon- 
derous anchor sought the bottom. Tiny balls flew 
to her masthead, and broke into bits of gay bunting. 
She was signalling her consorts. They answered, 
and shortly afterward the whole squadron lay at 
anchor in extended line of battle with their great 
guns commanding five miles of shore. The town of 
Ur^a with its puny forts and hundreds of junks lay 
at their mercy. 

Even before they anchored, Japanese s^^nal guns, 
answering each other from point to point, and soar- 
ing rockets, had borne the startling news of this 
momentous arrival to Vedo, and beyond. The 
moment it was seen where they intended stopping, a 
fleet of strongly manned guard-boats shot oat from 
shore to form a cordon about each of the foreign 
ships. Their crewB were armed, and each man was 
provided with a sleeping-mat and a warm kimono in 
which to pass the night. Thiswas Japanese custom. 
Foreign ships were always surrounded by guard- 
boats to prevent any person from going ashore. 
Also the Japanese authorities always boarded foreign 
ships and stationed their own men about the decks 
to observe everything that took place. All other 



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nS A SON OF SATSUIU. 

fcaeignets bad snbmitted to these tiimgs, but Coia* 
modore Peny had detemuited upon a different 
pfdicy. 

So, as some of the boata ran alougude hia ahip, - 
their lines were promptJj cast off, and when their 
occupants attempted to clamber on board by the 
chains, they were confronted by snch an array of 
{ttkes, bayonets, and cutlassea, that ihej hurriedly 
tamUed back into their boats. 

From erne of these boats an official held ap s scroll 
on which was written in French: "Tou cannot 
anchor here. You must leave at once." But not the 
slightest attention waa paid to him, although he car- 
ried his paper from ship to ship until all had seen it. 

Another official made signs that the Stuqiuhanna'a 
gateway ladder should be let down ; but it was not 
dtwe. Then the vice-governor of Uraga went oat, 
amunmced his offidal rank through an interpreter 
who could speak a little Dutch, and requested an 
interview with the commander-in-chief of these 
inq>udent ships. 

A lieutenant was detailed to meet him, and he, 
with his interpreter, was allowed on board. Then 
the lieutenant informed him, with the utmost polite- 
ness, that those ships had come from America on 
purpose to hring a letter from the President of the 
United States to the Emperor of Japan, and the 
American commander would confer with no person 
of less rank than hii own, which was the highest in 



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A TAKKEE FKIOATB SHOWS THE WAT 23T 

the oaTRl service of hia country. For these reasons 
he desired to meet, at a time and place to be ap- 
pointed, an official of the highest rank, to whom he 
m%ht present his credentitds as well as Ms Presi- 
dent's letter. 

To this the yice-govemor made reply that such 
business could only be transacted at Nagasaki, for 
which port he desired the ships immediately to take 
their departure. 

For answer the lieutenant said that bis commodore 
had come to Uraga because it was much nearer the 
capital than N^^asaki, and that if his letter could not 
be delivered there, he should take his ships up to 
Yedo itself, and hand his letters to the Emperor in 
person. 

When this had been slowly truislated to the vice- 
goTemor, he looked staggered, and as though he did 
not know what to reply. " Furthermore," continued 
the lieutenant, " we have come from a friendly nation 
with a peaceful message, and our commodore does 
not propose to submit to the indignity of having his 
ships surrounded by guard-boats, which he says he 
will disperse by fca-oe, if they are not inmiediately 
sent away." 

The vice-govaraor looked about the deck. Al- 
ready were crews of armed sailors taking their places 
in the ^p's boats. Evidently these Americans 
nwuit to do as tbey said. He stepped to the gang- 
way and shouted an order. In another minute the 



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9S8 A SON OF SATSUUA 

guard-boats were pulling toward shoie, nor did th^ 
^ain undertake to surround an American ship dur* 
log the whole stay of the squadron in those waters. 
The Yankees had won the first more of the game. 

A little later the vice-governor departed, saying 
that he had no authority to act in this important 
matter, but that on the morrow an official of higher 
rank than himself would visit the ship for a con- 
ference. 

All that July night the American squadron lay 
quietly at anchor on the unruffled bosom of Uraga 
harbor. From it the stillness was only broken by 
the roar of its nine-o'clock gun, a great sixty-four 
poonder, whose deep-throated voice echoed among 
the mountdus, far and wide, until it reached even to 
the city of Yedo, thirty miles away. 

On shore, however, the hours of darkness were 
filled with feverish activity. Beacon fires burned 
from end to end of the kingdom, while bursting 
rockets filled the ur with their ominous warnings. 
On every side boomed the solemn temple bells, 
and in all directions sped swift-footed messengers, 
stripped to their girdles and running as they had 
never run before. All night long troops poured 
into TJraga, infantry and cavalry, armed with spears 
and matchlocks, cross-bows, halberds, and swords. 
Cannons of antique m*nld were dragged to the 
heights and planted in wide embrasures, earthworks 
were thrown up, and ancient fortifications repured. 



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A YANKEE PBIOATE SHOWS THE WAT S39 

To inspire the foreigners with added terror long 
widths of canvas were stretched on tall posts and 
painted to represent fortified walls. Swift despatch 
boats sped by sweating rowers glided through the 
shadows of the shore between the danger point and 
the distant capital. The whole night was filled with 
anxious preparation for the morrow. 

But when the morning came all was quiet ; only 
its rising sun lit hundreds of fluttering banners that 
had not been there the day before, flashed from the 
weapons and armor of a host gathered since its last 
setting, and brought into view apparently impregna- 
ble fortifications that seemed to have sprung into 
existence like mushrooms. The American officers 
gazed at these things with amazement ; but detecting 
many of the shams through their telescopes, they im- 
agined others, and were not in the least dismayed. 

In the meantime the two lads, whom we left ex- 
citedly watching the arrival of the American ships, 
had been unable to resume their journey, or even to 
leave a place of such fascinating interest. 

" We've got to stay and see this thing out," Bob 
had said, and Katto had answered : " It is so, my 
brother. Now we cannot go." 

So their servants and pack-horses had been sent for, 
and a daimio's yasbiki blazoned with the emblems 
of Satsuma was pitched in the edge of a cedar grove 
beside a stream of nmning water. While the tents 
were being erected and other arrangements made, 



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N» A SON OF 8AT8DHA 

Katto ftnd Bob weot dowo into the tovQ to pay 
their respeots to Geiteral Yezaimen, the governor of 
Un^a. Although driven nearly distracted by the 
worries and perplexities of his sitnatioii, he still 
ccmsented to grant them a brief interview ; for sons 
of the powerful Satsuma must be treated with con- 
uderation even at such a time.' After an inter- 
change of bows and compliments, Katto said : — 

" We did not come, most honorable governor, to 
take idly your precious time, but to offer our ser- 
vioes in any way that you can use ^em." 

" It is kindly thought of," replied the governor ; 
" but unless we oome to a fight with the barbarians, 
I do not exactly know how — " 

<'I can speak of the American tongue a few 
words, — " broke in Katto. 

"Is it so ? " exclaimed the governor, his anxious 
face lighting. " Then you might accompany me as 
interpreter when I go to call on this pig-headed 
to-jin." 

" While my brother here," continued Katto, " has 
so learned it that he would understand almost every- 
thing said." 

" Good I " cried the governor. " Then shall both 
of you accompany my visit. You shall talk, and he 
shall listen to all that is said without giving sign of 
comprehen^on. In that way shall we learn much 
that is unexpected. Is such a plan agreeable to my 
honorable lords 7 " 



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A TAHEEB FRIGATE SHOWS THE WAT SM 

" Perfectly," relied Katto. 

" In the moming, then, when tlie sun is halfway 
up the sky, will I be ready to set forth, and if you 
will condescend to go as members of my suite, two 
mats shall be reserved for your use." 

" That's an awfully good scheme," whispered Bob, 
after the two had backed themselres out from the 
governor's presence. " If we once get aboard one 
of those ships, it will be a queer thing if we don't 
man^e to have them carry ns back to America. 
Why, things couldn't have worked out better if we 
had planned them, and this trip to Yedo, tliat we 
thought was going to knock everything higher than 
a kite, is proving to be the very best thing that 
conld have happened. You'll go, of course, if I can 
get them to take us." 

"My 'fraid you find it hard get away," replied 
the prudent Katto. '*Everybod now is watched 
rike you say a cat a mouse, and it may not be so 
easy. Then, there is my father. He must know if 
I am to go from him to the far country." 

" Oh, well, we'll fir it somehow. I know we will," 
declared the sanguine young American. 

The next morning uur lads dressed themselves 
carefully so as not to attract overmuch attention, and 
rode down to the place of boat landing, each with a 
betto or ranner in attendance. Leaving their horses 
in charge of these men, they took the places assigned 
them under the aw&lag of the governor's baige. 



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MS . A SON OF SATSOHA 

Here they fanned themselTee as though laDguidly 
indifferent to what was passing, and so were borne 
swiftly out over the glistening waters to the Ameri- 
can anchorage. 

And then Bob Whiting found himself once more 
beneath the stars and stripes in the presence of his 
own countrymen, in hearing of his own blessed 
mother-tongue, and so thrilled by the situation that 
it was all he could do to keep from procia 
aloud that he, too, was an American. 



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CHAPTER XXIX 

" BECAUSE 1 AM AM AMEBIOAN" 

As not even the governor of Uraga was cotuid- 
ered of sufEeiently elevated rank to be received b; 
the commodore himself, this duty fell to Captuiu 
Buchanan and Adams, who welcomed him to the 
ship and escorted him, together with his young in- 
terpreters, to a cabin. Here the latter were pre- 
sented as two princes of Satsiuna, one of whom could 
speak a little Et^Iish. So the talking fell to Katto, 
while Bob, loi^ng to declare his nationality, was 
forced to remain silent. 

To the governor was displayed the President's let- 
ter and Commodore Perry's credentials. Both were 
bound in blue velvet and to each was attached by 
silken cords terminating in bullion tassels the great 
seal of the United States done in gold. The letters 
were enclosed in rosewood boxes of beautiful work- 
manship, lined with satin, banded with gold, and 
having golden hinges, locks, and keys. 

After allowing the governor to be sufficiently im- 
pressed by the appearance of these precious docu* 
meats, Captain Adams asked what arrangements 
could be made for their prompt delivery to ih9 
Emperor. 



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M4 A SON OF SATSOMA 

" They may only be received at Nagasaki," replied 
the governor. " Even were they to be received here, 
the answer must be delivered there, and it is the 
wish of the Japanese goTemment that all your ships 
instantly take their departure for that port." 

" The commodore desires me to repeat," rejoined 
Captain Adams, "that he will do nothing of the 
kind. He will deliver his letters here at Uraga, or 
in the city of Yedo, but nowhere else." 

" Then must I send to Yedo for further instruc- 
tions," declared the governor. 

" When may they be expected to reach you ? " 

"In tour days." 

Here Captain Buchanan retired for a moment to 
the commodore's cabin. When he returned, he an- 
nounced that four days was too long a time to wait, 
and that only three could be allowed. Upon this 
the governor rose, bowed stiffly, and, followed by 
our lads, took his departure. 

"They are the most pig-headed of all the to-jin 
who have ever come to these shores," remarked the 
governor, when he had once more gained his own 
craft, and she had left the ship. "Their boldness is 
unaccountable. It would seem as though they had 
some reserve strength that is not shown. Did you 
hear anything that would lead you to suspect this?" 
he asked, turning to Bob. 

" Yes, your honorable Excellency," replied the son 
of Satsuma, " I overheard a remark about eight mors 



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"BXCAI^ I AM AH AMBBICAH" MB 

riiips that conld be quickly brought if thsy were 
necessary. " 

*' By the great toe of Buddha ! " exclaimed the 
startled governor. " Eight more T twelve ih all I 
Such a force conld destroy every city on our coasts. 
Certainly the barbarians must be deeply in earnest 
about presenting their miserable letters, and it will 
probably be best to receive them. Did anything else 
come to your intelligent ears? " 

" I heard one of the to-jin chiefs remark," replied 
Bob, "that your Highness looked like a person of 
great understanding, and if he could meet you at 
tifBn over a bottle of sake, he was confident the 
whole business could be quickly settled." 

" It is evident that some of the foreign pigs are 
capable of discernment," answered the governor, 
much pleased. 

During the three days that followed, many messen- 
gers aped back and forth between Uraga and Yedo, 
while troops and notable personages continued to 
pour into the former place. At the same time, no 
one from shore was permitted to board any of the 
ships, nor did the Americans attempt to land. The 
latter were by no means idle, however; for, from 
dawn till dark, their boats were to be seen taking 
soundings, and making surveys of the bay, especially 
in the direction of Yedo. Once the governor sent 
out word that such a practice was forbidden by 
Japanese law, only to receive reply that it was a 



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tM A SON OF fiATBDlU 

practice commanded by Americaa law, and could 
not be discontiDued. 

Id all this time our two lads were in a state of ill- 
suppressed excitement, which, fortunately for them, 
was shared, though not for the same reason, by every 
person in their vicinity. Immediately upon return- 
ing from the Sutquehanna, Katto had despatched a 
trusty messenger with a letter to his father. In it 
he described the arrival of the American ships, and 
said tl)at if a chance offered for Bob and himself to 
go to the United States with them he believed they 
would accept it. He assured his father that he had 
funds sufficient to support them for a long time, and 
he named Wo Sing, the merchant of Canton, as a 
medium through whom they could correspond. 

After this letter had been written and sent, oar 
lads spent most of their waking hours on the water 
in a small junk that they had chartered. In her 
they sailed round and round the great ships that so 
strongly fascinated them, or watched the survey 
boats at their work. Once they even attempted to 
visit the flagship, but were sternly ordered ofiF, and 
told that no natives were allowed on board. 

So time dragged heavily with them, as it did with 
the American officers, until the important third day 
arrived. On its eventful morning, our lads once 
more found themselves seated on the deck mats of 
the governor's barge, which on this occasion was 
escorted by two other boats all bearing official flags. 



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"BECAUSE I AH AN AMERICAN" HT 

but when they reached the ship only General Yezai- 
men and his interpreters were invited on board. 
Here, as before, they were received with honors and 
eoodncted to the presence of the captains who awtuted 
them. 

The governor at once opened the conference by 
stating that the Emperor had consented to send a high 
official of his conrt to receive at Uraga the most hon- 
orable letter of his Serene Excellency the President 
of the United States. To it, however, no answer 
could be sent except by way of Nagasaki, where it 
would be transmitted through either the Dutch or 
Chinese resident agents. 

This was commimicated to the commodore, vho, 
within five minutes, sent out the following memo- 
randum: — 

"The American commander-in-chief will not go 
to Nf^asaki, and will receive no communication 
through either the Dutch or the Chinese. He has a 
letter from the President of the United States to 
deliver to the Emperor of Japan, or to his Secretary 
of Foreign Afifairs, and he will deliver it to none 
other. If this friendly letter of his President is not 
received and duly replied to, he will consider his 
country insulted and will not hold himself responsi- 
ble for the consequences. Moreover, he will receive 
such reply nowhere but in this neighborhood." 

When the interpreters had translated this unmis- 
takable declaration of intention to the governor, he 



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H8 A SON OF BATSDHA 

declared that he must go ashore for consnltatioQ be- 
fore replying. This he did, but three hours later 
was again on board the ^ttquehaima. This time he 
wfts all smiles, and assured the Americans that every- 
thing should be as they wished. Within a week a 
high official from Yedo would arrive to receive the 
American admiral and his letters in a house built 
especially for the purpose. Also, in due time, a reply 
to the President's letter might he expected at the 
same place. 

Thus point number two was scored in favor of the 
Americans, who were so pleased at their success that 
they invited the governor and his interpreters to 
accept the hospitality of the ship for that evening. 

The governor would be only too happy, and, while 
refreshments were being prepared, the host^ enter- 
tained their guests by showing them revolvers, breech- 
loading riSes, and many other objects of novel inter- 
est. Finally, they prodneed a large globe on which 
they pointed out the position of the United States. 
To their surprise, the governor readily located on it, 
not only Japan, China, and Russia, but England, 
Holland, Spain, and other countries, showing that he 
had a very clear idea of the geography of the world. 
Then Katto farther astonished them, by pointing out 
San Francisco, Washington, New York, and Boston ; 
while Bob capped the climax by indicating an obscure 
little dot, and uttering the single word, " Salem." As 
he had not spoken before this during the several inter' 



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"BECAUSE 1 AH AN AMERICAN" SM 

views, the Americans had suspected him ol being 
dumb, and had wondered among themselves why he 
was brought along. Now they regarded him with a 
new interest, and when a little later it was proposed to 
show the guests over the ship. Captain Adams took 
the young man with goggles under his especial escort. 

" Paizhan," murmured Bob in a low tone, as they 
passed a big gun on deck, and his companion stared 
at him. Then he said : — 

" You speak English, do you not ? " 

" Yes," whispered Bob, in reply, " but wait until 
we are alone." 

Captain Adams took the hint, and a little later 
man^^d to separate himself and his companion from 
the others, and lead the way to an unoccupied cabin. 
"Now," he said, when the door was closed behind 
them, " what is it? for I am sure you have something 
to communicate." 

" Prince Idzu, appointed to receive the President's 
letter, is already in Uraga," replied Bob, speaking 
very rapidly. " If you insist, it may be delivered at 
once ; but they want to put you off until they can 
get a lot of heavy guns here from Yedo. Then they 
hope either to sink your ships or to drive you away." 

" Why do you tell me this ? " asked Captain 
Adams, suspiciously. 

"Because," answered the lad, snatching off his 
disguising goggles and flashing his honest gray eyes 
full apon his companion, " I am an American who 



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MO A SON OF SATStlMA 

w»Dta his oountiy to succeed in whatever she under- 
takes. On the night of the day that the letter is 
deliveredt I shall come off in a small boat, and hope 
to be received on board, for I have much to tell. 
Now we must rejoin the others at once, or I shall be 
suspected." 

Two minutes later the whole part; was reunited 
in the engine room, where the governor was so inter- 
ested in the maasive machinery that Bob's absence 
had not been noticed. While they were still there. 
Captain Adams excosed himself on the plea of going 
to see if the refreshments were ready, and hastened 
to the commodore's cabin. 

When he reappeared, he announced that tea was 
served and led the way to the room with which they 
were already familiar. The meal to which they sat 
down was accompanied by much good-humored laugh- 
ter, and many mirthful attempts at conversation. At 
its conclusion, however, the visitors were startled 
into silence by a communication from the still invisi- 
ble commodore to Urn effect that on account of the 
exposed podtioQ of his present anchorage, he dared 
not have th* ships remain there longer than was ab- 
solutely netMssary. He had decided, therefore, if his 
letter could not be received in Ur^a on the follow- 
ing day, to take his ships up to Yedo, where be would 
open direct communication with the palace. 

As the governor gradually comprehended this 
mess^e, he became very grave and remained for 



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"BECAUSE I AH AN AMERICAN" 261 

Mveral miautes buried deep in thought. Then ha 
Baid, "But the house of receptiou cannot be made 
ready ao quickly." 

" A tent will meet every possible requirement," 
promptly answered Captain Adams. 

The governor bad drunk so much wine that he 
could not think of another excuse. So he finally 
gave over the attempt, and E^reed that the all- 
important reception should be held on the next 
day at high nooa 

Thus was point number three scored for the 
Americans. 



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CHAPTER XXX 

OOMMODOBE PBKBY CAEEIBS HIS POINT 

In spite of the governor's declaration that the 
building which it was proposed to erect for the re- 
ception of the President's letter conld not be made 
ready in time, the rising sun of the next morning 
found it standing in all its completeness. Under 
the deft hands of hundreds of workmen it had 
sprung into existence during the night like Alad- 
din's palace. Other swarms of workmen had toiled 
by lantern light all through the hours of darkness 
with a result that a transformation little short of 
miraculous had been effected upon a tract of hitherto 
vacant land adjoining the hamlet of Kurihama a few 
miles south of Ur^a. 

About the reception pavilion stood rows of living 
shade trees, besides Sowering shrubs, palms, and 
bamboos, in full vigor. The interior of the pavil- 
ion was divided into three halls all softly carpeted 
in red and white, while their walls were hung with 
silken tapestries. A vast outer space was enclosed 
by lengths of painted canvas bearing innumerable 
repetitions of the imperial crrat, and witiiin this 
were drawn up a dozen regiments of Japanese cav- 
alry and infimtry, every man bearing a bomiahed 



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COHUODOBB PBBRT CABBIES HIS POINT 263 

shield that flashed with dazzling radiance in the 
morning sunlight. Above their heads fluttered huo- 
dreds of pennons and nine great silken standards 
drooped heavily in the light breeze. 

Earl; in the morning the American frigates 
moved out of Uraga harbor and into that of 
Kurihama, where, under shadow of the very head- 
land from which the Morriton bad been flred upon 
a few years earlier, and within easy range of tiie 
reception building, they again dropped anchor. 

Shortly before noon strains of martial music from 
the water announced to the thousands of spectators 
gathered on shore that the American flotilla was in 
motion. A little later the heavy booming of thir- 
teen guns from the SutqueJtanna told that the 
hitherto invisible commodore had entered bis bai^ 
and was actually about to set foot on Japanese soil. 
The leading boats had already gained the temporary 
wharf built for the occasion, and three hundred 
American sailors landing from them were hurrying 
into line. Their officers were in dress uniform, the 
marines were in blue, and the jackies in white. All 
were fully armed, and every man among them would 
have entered joyously into a scrimmage with the 
thousands of Japanese troops massed against them, 
well satisfied that ultimate victory would rest with 
bis side. 

But there was no evidence of a desire for a scrim- 
mage on the part of the Japanese, who were as 



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ttt A 80H OF SATSmCA. 

defdrentially polite as though these nninvited to-jia 
were moat welcome guests. As the commodore 
landed, the American officers uncovered, the double 
line of marines and sailor lads snapped their muskets 
to the "present," and the combined bands of the 
two frigates crashed forth the music of the "Star- 
spangled Banner." At the same time a group of 
Japanese officials respectfully prostrated themselves 
before this representative of the American govern- 
ment, and a few light-weight Japanese guns some- 
where in the rear banged forth a sulphurous salute. 

In entering the reception pavilion, the governor of 
Uraga, robed in go^eous, gold-threaded brocade, 
led the way. Behind him walked two ship's boys, 
bearing the rosewood letter-boxes in envelopes of 
scarlet cloth. Then came the commodore, closely 
attended by two gigantic negro sailors armed to the 
teeth, who acted as his immediate body-guard. The 
American officers followed, each escorted by a richly 
robed Japanese official. 

At the upper end of the central hall stood a lai^ 
box of red lacquer, supported by golden feet. On 
its left sat like statues the Princes Idzu and IwamL 
On the opposite side were chaire for the commodore 
and his captains. As these entered the room, the 
two princes rose, bowed, and remained standing in 
silence until the commodore bad taken his seat. 
Then they also sat down, looking as blank as two 
graven im^^es, while General Yezaimen, who acted 



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COMMODOBB FERRY CARRIES HIS POINT 8U 

u master of ceremoni^, knelt, with his interpreters, 
beside the red-lacquered-boz. 

The titles of the two princes and their authority 
from the Emperor to receive the honorable letter of 
his almost Higlmeas the President of the United 
States having been proclaimed, the commodore mo- 
tioned for the bojs bearing the rosewood ijoxes to 
come forward. As they did so they were closely 
followed by the two stalwart blacks. These latter 
received the boxes from their bearers, opened them, 
displayed the letters with their golden seals, closed 
them again, deposited them iu the red-lacquered 
receptacle, and retired. Then the governor of 
Uraga received from the Prince of Idzu a document 
in which was acknowledged, on behalf of the Em- 
peror, the receipt of the letters. It also intimated 
that as the commodore's official business in that 
place was ended, the Japanese government would be 
pleased to see him take his departure. 

To this Commodore Perry replied that he pro- 
posed to depart very shortly ; but that he should 
return again in the following spring for the Em- 
peror's reply to his President's letter. At that 
time he should also hope to n^otiate on behalf 
of tite United States of America a treaty with 
Ji^an similar to that existing between his country 
and China. 

The governor of Uraga asked if on his retam the 
commodore would bring all four of his ships. 



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M A SON or 8ATSUUA 

" I shall bring lUl of them," waa the reply, " and 
perhaps twice as many more, as these now here form 
but a portion of the force under my command." 

With this the momentous interview, that had not 
occupied more than twenty minutes in all, came to 
an end ; and as the commodore rose to take his 
departure, the two princes, who had remained as 
immovable as posts, and as dumb as oysters, also 
gained their feet and stood in rigid attitudes until 
he had left the building. 

Acting under instructions to keep close watch on 
the Americans to the last, the governor of Uraga 
and bis suite, to which the sons of Satsuma were 
still attached, escorted the commodore back to his 
ship. They remained aboard until she had regained 
her former anchor^e off Uraga, where they took, 
with great formality, what the governor fondly 
hoped waa their final leave of the Americans whose 
presence had occasioned him such a world of anxiety. 
Only Bob Whiting knew better, but for the present 
he kept his knowledge to himself. 

Commodore Perry had not been pleased at being 
told to go away now that his business was finished, 
and the more he considered this, the more provoked 
he became. Finally be sent for Captain Buchanan, 
to whom he said ; " I am determined to have a look 
at Yedo before leaving these waters. Consequently 
yoQ will direct the coxirse of the Sut^hatma up 
the bay and signal the others to fdlow*" 



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COHHODORB FERBT CABBIES HIS POINT SB7 

" Very well, sir." 

Shortly before the guests left the Sagahip, Cap- 
tun Adams, who was still od board, found an 
opportunity to whisper to the Japanese who wore 
goggles : " The commodore will receive you, but not 
to-night. Come off the third night from this. We 
are going to Yedo." 

An hoar later, while the governor of Uraga, hav- 
ing changed his uncomfortably heavy robes of state 
for a light kimono, was comfortably reclining on a 
pile of soft mats, puffing contentedly at a cigar pre- 
sented to him by his American friends, and thanking 
his lucky stars that the ticklish episode of their visit 
was so happily concluded, his pleasant revery was 
interrupted by the entrance of an oEQcial. 

** Well, what is it now ? " demanded the gov- 
ernor, as the newcomer prostrated himself, and his 
panting breath gave evidence that he had come in 
haste. 

"May it please your august Excellency," stam- 
mered the man, " the ships of the to-jin have taken 
their departure." 

*' For which the beneficent gods be praised," 
replied the governor, calmly. 

" But not in the direction expected." 

*' How then ? " demanded the startled governor. 
" Have they not put out to sea ? " 

" No, your Excellency; they have gone up the bay 
and are already out of sight." 



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iM A SON OF SATSUMA 

"Now may the foul fiends seize the ptg^teaded 
barboriaiiB I " oried Oeneral Yezaimen, as he Qnag 
away his hslf-burned cigar and sprang from hia 
comfortable coach. " What new craze is possessing 
them ? Order my swiftest boat to be in readiness, 
and send to me the young lords of Satsuma." 

When Bob and Katto appeared in answer to this 
summons, the governor asked the former : — 

"Heard yoa anything, while we were on board 
the ship of the to-jin, concerning their intention of 
mddng a longer stay ? " 

*' Tes, most Honorable," replied onr lad. " I did 
oveihear a few words of a plan to visit Yedo, bat 
believed it might be made for the time when they 
shall come ^ain." 

" Yedo I " screamed the horrified governor. " If 
once they go to Yedo, then will my head grin from 
the roadside. Oh, why are the barbarians of the 
world thus allowed to vex its chosen people? Make 
ready to accfunpany me at once, for we must follow 
after them and seek to turn them back before the ' 
mischief is done. Alas I It is like seeking to 
appease a Kappa witiiout cucumbers." 

Late that afternoon, while the American squadron 
lay peacefully at anchor in a well-sheltered cove, some 
ten mfles above Uraga, the Yezaimen barge, with its 
stout rowers ready to drop from their exertions, 
dashed alongside the flagship, and agtuu the anxiouB 
governor was courteoosly received on board. 



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COHHODOBE PEBRT CARRIES HIS FOUIT 3W 

" Why do you come here? " he demaaded. 

"To seek a better ancbor^^ than that off 
TJtaga, for the many ships we propose to bring next 
year." 

" But this is farther than any other foreigner has 
ever dared eome, and you must go back." 

" Very well, we will." 

"When?'' 

" A3 soon as we have finished our surreys." 

This was all the satisfaction the Americans would 
give, and the next day Commodore Perry increased 
the Japanese ferment by proceeding in the SRgtunppi 
BtiU farther up the bay, until he obtained a clear view 
of the imperial city. Then he took all his ships back 
to an anchorage within five miles of Uraga, and com- 
forted the perturbed soul of Governor Yezaimen by 
sendii^ him word that they would put to sea the 
following morning. 

The day so impatiently awaited by our lads, the 
one on which they believed they were to escape ^m 
the narrow confines of the hermit nation into tiie 
limitless fields of the great world, had come at last. 
Shortly before midnight a small boat containing two 
muffled figures drifted silently up to the starboard 
ude ladder of the i^ttquehanna. 

" Boat ahoy I who are you ? and what do you 
want?" challenged the marine sentry. 

"Friends, on business with the commodore by 
appointment," replied Bob. 



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aw A SON OF SAT8UHA 

Ad officer was called, lanterns were flashed in the 
faces of the newcomers, and they were closely ques- 
tioned b^ore being allowed on board and led aft. 

Half an hoar later Commodore Ferry, scanning 
closely the faces of bis Tisitors by the bright flame 
of his cabin lamp, was saying to Robert Whiting : — 

" My dear lad, I fully believe your story, and am 
grateful for the assistance you have already rendered 
me in this great undertaking. Gladly would I grant 
your request and carry both of you away from here> 
but the thing may not be done. Your friend is a 
Japanese. To aid him in leaving his native land 
would be to violate its laws and destroy all chance of 
negotiating the treaty in which our government is so 
deeply interested. You are supposed to belong te 
the same nationality, and if I carried you away as a 
Japanese, the outery would be equally great. On 
the other hand, if I declared you to be an American, 
not only would my word be doubted and the proposed 
treaty endangered, but the friends who have been 
so good to you, and whom you must leave behind, 
would be plunged into no end of trouble. Besides, 
I want you to remain right here until I come again ; 
for, in your present position you can obtain informa- 
tion that will be of incalculable value to your country. 
On my return in the spring, there is little doubt but 
what I can arrai^ to carry you away with me and 
provide for your pass^e to the United States, though 
I may not be able to do as much for your friend. 



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COMHOXWRE PEBRY CARRIES RIS POINT 361 

Under the circumstauces, then, don't you think you 
had better stay where you are? " 

" I suppose so, sir," replied Bob, in a low tone that 
gave evidence of his bitter disappointment. 

" Of course yon had, and you want to face the situ- 
ation cheerfnUy. Remember that you will be ren- 
dering your country a most important service, while 
at the same time living true to the sacred oblations 
of friendship. After all, to remain among these 
kindly people for a few months as a son of Satsuma 
does not appeal to me as such a terrible hardship. 
Does it seem so to you? " 

"No, sir, it does not," answered Bob, bravely. 
** And of course I'll do it. At the same time, I thank 
you heartily, sir, for showing me my duty and putting 
me in the way of performing it." 

" Spoken like a man, my boy. Always live up to 
that tone, and you will come out all right in the 
end." 



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CHAPTER XXXI 

BOB IS LSFI BBHIND 

As oar lads, not having the slightest idea that 
they would further need their skiff, had let it go 
adrift upon reaching the Sutquehatma, one of the 
ship's boats, in charge of a midshipman, was ordered 
to carry them to land, and it« youthful officer was 
enjoined to take every precaution against being dis- 
covered. He believed he had done tiiis so effectu- 
ally that when they reached shore he imagined the 
presence of his boat to be unsuspected by any of the 
numerous spies who constantly watched the Ameri- 
can ships. So certain was he that no human being 
was in that vicinity that, as he parted from his pas- 
eengers, he said to Bob, whom he knew to be an 
American : — 

" Good-by, old fellow, and good luck to you. I 
only wish I were in your shoes. See you again in 
the spring, I hope." 

" 1 hope BO," replied oor lad ; " good-by. " 

For several minutes Bob stood gazing at the dim 
form of the receding boat, and realizing that, with 
her departure, the only link connectiag him to bis 
own country had been severed. But, after all, he 
had DO reason to be cast down. He was regularly 



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BOB IS LEPT BEHIND 368 

enlisted in that country's service, he occupied a posi- 
tion of splendid possibilities, and he was among 
friends, one of whom was as dear to him as an own 
brother. He turned to look for Katto, thought he 
saw him standing at a short distance, and started in 
that direction. 

Suddenly, and without the slightest warning of 
danger, the man whom he supposed to be his brother, 
sprang at him and knocked him down, while a dozen 
others, who seemed to rise from the ground, fell upon 
him with resistless weight. He had no chance to 
make an outcry or a struggle, before his head was 
smothered under a cloth, his limbs were securely 
bound, and he was being carried rapidly away 
through the darkness. 

Apparently, the cloth thrown over Bob's face was 
saturated with some stupefying drug; for when 
next he began to notice his surroundings he found 
himself lying on a mat in a small room that had 
stone walls, a stone floor, and but one small heavily 
grated window. He had a ringing headache; and 
so confused were his ideas that for a long time he 
could not recall what had happened. At length he 
managed to gain his feet and move stiffly to the 
window, which was set so high, and in a wall of 
such thickness, that he could see only a patch of 
bine sky cut into squares by the bars of its grat- 
ing. While gazii^ blankly at this unsatisfactory 
view. BoVs attention was attracted by a sharp click, 



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9U A SON OF 8ATSCHA 

and turning in that direction he saw a pecnliai 
wooden structure that looked something like a 
massive door, set deep in the stone wall at one 
side of the room. So Ear as he could see, it had 
neither lock, knoh, nor hinges. He pushed ^^nst 
it, and to his amazement it gave way easily, seeming 
to revolve on a central pivot. It was a counterpart 
of the four-leaved turnstile storm-doors now so com- 
mon in this country, though at that time Bob had 
never seen one. 

As the door gave way before his push, the prisoner, 
without quite comprehending how the thing had hap- 
pened, found himself in another room exactly similar 
to the one he had just left ; only there were things 
in this one that had been wanting in the other. 
There was a small table, for instance, on which was 
a platter of fish, a bowl of rice, and another of 
steaming hot tea. There was a good supply of 
water both for drinking and bathing, as well as a 
complete outfit of fresh clothing. 

At sight of these things Bob realized how very 
thirsty he was, and at once drank the whole bowlful 
of tea. Then he tnmed to the food and ate it to 
the last morsel, after which he felt strong enough to 
take a bath and change his clothing. This was a 
great comfort, as the suit he had worn was distress- 
ingly torn and soiled. 

"Now," he said aloud, "I am ready to receive 
visitors, and I wish some one would hurry up and 



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BOB IS LEFT BGHDm 98fi 

eome, bo that I can learn the meaning of this myi- 
terious imprisonment. I should like to Iedow 
whether I am held as a Jap or an American, as a 
son of SatBuma or an agent of Commodore Perry. 
I wonder if they caught Katto too, and if he is 
shut up the same sB I am. I wonder where I am, 
and how this tbii^ is going to end. In fact, my 
thoughts seem to be pretty much made up of won- 
derings that don't appear to be in a way of getting 
satisfied," 

Stepping to the window, he made a spring for the 
lowest bar of its gratii^, caught it, and pulled him- 
self up until his eyes were on a level with the stone 
ledge. He could only hold himself in that position 
for a minute ; but when he i^ain dropped to the 
floor, one of his wonderings had been answered. He 
knew where he was ; for his view had been that of 
housetops stretching away as far as the eye could 
reach toward the lofty peak of Fuji, and he knew 
that he was in the great city of Yedo. 

Thinking that he would go back into the first 
room and take a look from its window, he attempted 
to do so, only to find the turnstile door immovably 
fastened. With an impatient' exclamation, he flung 
himself down on a mat, where, after a time, he fell 
asleep. 

When next he awoke the day was waning, and, as 
he sat up, a click similar to the one heard in the 
morning drew his attention once mora to the myt- 



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SM A SON OF SATSmCA 

terioiu turnstile. Curiosity impelled him to rise 
and go to it. He pushed at it, and it swung as easily 
as before, promptly ushering him into room number 
one. Here a tiny table was spread with food, and 
other arrangements had been made for his comfort. 
No one beside himself was in the room, nor was 
there any apparent place of exit or entrance save the 
turnstile door and the grated window. 

" It's a little the queerest way of shutting a fellow 
up I ever heard of," cogitated Bob ; " I suppose I shall 
find out all about it some time or other, but the wait- 
ing is beastly tedious." 

Our lad's imprisonment did indeed prove tedious ; 
for as the days wore themselves into weeks, and the 
weeks into months, its maddening monotony was 
continued until summer had passed and winter was 
at band. In all this time, however, his physical 
needs were promptly satisfied and he always found 
the tbings necessary to a fairly comfortable living 
awaiting him in one or the other of the two rooms 
between which he gravitated. Once quite early in 
his captivity he was startled at finding a freshly 
plucked rose lying on the floor of one of the rooms 
as he entered it, and after that he often found single 
flowers awaiting him. 

So frequently did these dainty messengers from 
the outside world come to him that he learned to 
expect and wateh eagerly for them. At length, on 
a certain morning, when he had been disappointed at 



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BOB IS LGPT BEHIND MT 

not finding one of tbem in what he called his number 
two room, which he had just entered, he was startled 
by bearing something drop softly on the pavement 
behind him. Turnii^ quickly, he saw a ehrysanthe- 
miun lying on the floor, and to his further amaze- 
ment discoTered a tiny, tightly twisted note attached 
to it by a silken Uiread. With trembling hands he 
smoothed it out and read : — 

" You no fraid. Keep brave. You frien work 
every day, every night. Bimeby you get topside." 

The brief message was unsigned, but Bob instantly 
recognized its cramped handwriting and its queer 
English. It was from Katto, and the knowledge 
that this stanch friend was not only aware of his 
wretched pl^ht, but was able to communicate with 
him, filled our lad with a new hope. 

In all these days he kept up his strength by con- 
stant exercise at the bars of his windows, where 
ha spent hours in drawing himself up and maintain- 
ing his outlook upon the world for ever-increasing 
lengths of time. He derived great satisfaction from 
watching the ants that came to his rooms after crumbs 
of food, and once a tiny bird, chased by a hawk, 
darted in between the bars and fell exhausted into 
his hands. This pet he treasured and tended for 
several days ; but at length it found its way out 
and flew joyfully away, leaving him disconsolate. 

The most startling episode of his imprisonment 
happened one morning when, summoned by a click of 



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MS A SOH OF 8AT8CMA 

the tnnutUe door, he pasaed through it, in^taeot for 
the breakfast that he knew awaited him <m the other 
ride. At the moment of entering room number two he 
was seized by brawny hands and held while his eyes 
were tightly band^^ed. Then he was led away. So 
utterly helpless did he feel that he submitted without 
opposition, but Instinctirely drew back when he 
bad taken the number of steps that he knew from 
long experience would cany him to the solid wall. 
But he was forced forward, and to his amazement 
moved on without enoountering the expected 
obstacle. 

As Bob was tiius led through long pass^es and 
down flights of steps, he was so agitated that he 
could scarcely breathe. Was he beii^ taken to 
execution, to trial, to liberty, or merely to another 
plaoe of confinement? He pleaded with his guards 
in the best Japanese he could command, to tell him ; 
but they preserved an unbroken silence. 

At length he was halted and the bandage was re- 
moved from his face. For a few seconds he was so 
blinded by the sudden flood of light that he could not 
distingnish surrounding objects. Then he became 
aware that he was in a great hall, closely facing a 
group of silent but keenly observant men, who, from 
the richness of their dress, he took to be of high 
rank. 

Bob had barely grasped Uiese facts when one of 
them made a gesture ; the handle was replaoed 



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BOB IS LEFT BEHIND MO 

over his eyes, and be Tras led away. WheD he next 
halted, the handa of his guards relaxed their grasp, 
and he stood for a momeDt, anxiously wondering 
what was to happen next. As nothing happened 
and he heard no sound, he ventured to lift the band- 
it from his eyea, and to his astoQishment found 
himself in the familiar prison from which he had 
been taken only a few minutes before. There stood 
the little table with his breakfast still waiting, and 
everythii^ else was as it always had been, but he 
was alone. Moreover, the walls enclosing him were 
as impenetrably solid as ever. It was all so incom- 
preheoaible that he began to wonder if the incident 
just closed were not the vagary of a dream, instead 
of a tangible reality. 



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CHAPTER XXXn 
KATtO Am> C-KAHA-8AN 

And now for an explanation of all this tayBtsry, 
Ab has been said, every moTement of Conunodora 
Perry's ships and of the boats sent out from tbein 
was vfttobed by a cloud of spies. These were posted 
aloi^ t^e shore, filled the line of guard-boats con- 
tinually patrolling it, or, in the gnise of fishermen, 
circled as close as they dared venture about the 
anchored men-of-war. Although Bob and Katto 
had managed to evade these keen-eyed watchers in 
going off to the Susqueharma, ao prominent an object 
as a ship's boat coming from the fixate could not 
escape detection. It was seen from the moment of 
startup, and closely shadowed to the shore. Its 
object in seeking the land was a mystery to the 
Japanese until they heard the midshipman's fare- 
well words, and a reply to them in English from 
some one on shore, who evidently had been left there 
by the boat. Of course this person must be an 
American spy, who, under cover of darkness woold 
attempt to make his way inland, possibly to Tedo 
itself. 

While Bob paused to bid his countrymen farewell 
and watch their departure, Eatto, realizing the 



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KATTO ASD 0-EAHA-SAN S71 

dangers of the beach, had promptly hastened from 
it and plunged Into a thick growth of cedar, where 
he endeavored to locate his position and discover a 
path leading from the shore. He supposed that Bob 
was following him, and when he discovered that such 
wa.8 not the case he returned to the beach in quest 
of his friend. 

In the meantime Bob had been seized and borne 
away almost without a sound, and of course Eatto 
could find no trace of him. Could he have sprung 
into the boat at the last moment and returned with 
it to the frigate? He might have done so for a 
further consultation with the commodore ; and thus 
til in Icing , Katto waited in hidii^ until dayUght began 
to appear, with the hope of his friend's return. 

At length, in the growing light, he could make out 
the forms of the great ships, and, even as he watched 
them, they lifted their anchors, and, with the sloops- 
of-war in tow of the steamers, quietly took their de- 
parture from Japanese water. Not until then did 
Katto sorrowfully make his way back to the camp 
near Urf^. 

While Katto thus watched. Bob, dru^ed into 
UBCOQSciousaess, had been taken aboard a govern- 
ment despatch boat that remained in that vicinity 
untU the American ships steamed away, when it 
bore the joyful tidings with all speed to Yedo. It 
also carried the prisoner, who, by daylight, was 
unmistakably identified as an American. 



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m A SON OF BATSDIU 

For the aake of impressiDg Commodore Perry 
with his nationality, Bob had, before going aboard 
the ftogahip, laid aside his goggles, yigorously 
scrubbed with lemon juioe at the stain on his face 
and hands, and had arranged his hair as well as 
might be in civilized fashion. Tbos his present 
appearance was that of an American who had at- 
tempted very crudely and imperfectly to disgoise 
himself as a Japanese. 

"It is just like those fools of to-jin to imagine 
they can deceive ns by methods so clumsy," remarked 
an ofiBcer of the despatch boat, as he gazed contemp- 
tuously at the unconscious young foreigner. 

The capture was considered to be of such impor- 
tance that, arrived at Yedo, Bob was at once taken 
in a closely curtained palanquin to the castle of the 
Shc^un. There he was placed in the secret rooms 
reserved for such distinguished prisoners as the gov- 
erument desired to retain beyond a chance of escape, 
and at the same time to treat with leniency until 
their cases should be tried. 

Both the ShoguD and his advisers were greatly 
puzzled as to what they should do with this prisoner. 
The law of Japan bade them put him to death 
both as a foreigner and a spy ; but there was that 
terrible American " admiral *' who had shown him- 
self to be fearless and rash, to the point of declaring 
war, if he did not obtain what he wanted. He had 
gone away, to be sure ; but also he had promised 



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KATTO AND 0-KAMA-«AH »1 

to return vith a vastly more powerful fleet of altips ; 
— would he sot demand to know what had becoma 
of the young man whom he had left behind ? Also, 
if the prisoner were beheaded so that he could not 
be produced when wanted, would not the pig- 
headed " admiral " direct his great guns against th« 
wealthy seaports of Japan until they were de- 
stroyed? These things must be considered. 

So Bob's imprisonment was continnod from month 
to montbf while his case was gravely or stormily 
discassed ; and all this time, though he saw no one, 
he was kept under constent scrutiny. In the ceiling 
of each of his rooms was an aperture ingeniously 
hidden from below, through which the whole inte- 
rior was visible, and at one or the other of these 
some one watched Bob most of the time. Among 
others who thus looked down on him was 0-Kama- 
Sao, the fourteen-year-old dai:^hter of the governor 
of the Shogun's castle. Being an only child, she 
was the idol of her father's heart, and so was privi- 
leged to do many things that might not otherwise 
have been allowed. Among these privileges, she 
assumed, without asking anybody's leave, that of 
taking an occasional peep at the state prisoners of 
whom her father had chaise. In this way she dis- 
covered Bob and immediately became interested in 
him i for he was the very first white foreigner she 
bad ever seen. 

At length out of curiosity to note what h» Toold 



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174 A SON OF 8ATSUHA 

do with it, O-Kama-San dropped a rose into Bob's 
cell, and after that she often dropped flowers where 
he would be sure to find them. It was such fun to 
see his bewilderment at their unexpected appearance. 

While all this was going on, Katto had reached 
Yedo, reported his arriTal, and taken up his red- 
dence in the splendid Satsuma yashiki. When 
asked concerning the adc^ted brother who had been 
expected to accompany him, the young Shimadzu 
was obliged to report that he had mysteriously dis- 
appeared from Uraga, and was supposed to have 
sailed away with the Americans. Here was a new 
complication. If the barbarians were impudent 
enough to carry off Japanese subjects, would it not 
be better even to risk fighting with them than 
tamely to submit to further insult of that kind ? 
The Shogun thought so, and declared in favor of 
war rather than a treaty, but many of the daimios 
failed to agree with him. 

During this time of tumult and bitter discussion 
it became whispered abroad in Yedo that an Ameri- 
can prisoner was confined in the Shogun's castle, 
and finally the rumor reached the ears of Katto. 
At once he was filled with anxiety. Could it be 
possible that his dear brother had been captured 
and brought to the city instead of leaving with the 
American ships, as he had supposed ? It might be ; 
and if so, what should he do ? The first thing was to 
discover the prisoner's identity. The governor of 



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KATTO AND 0-KAMA-SAM 276 

the castle was one of his father's friendB. Also the 
governor had a daughter whose friendship might be 
cultivated. 

Katto called and presented his compliments to 
0-Kama-San. On another day they walked in the 
gardens, and together fed the golden carp in the 
fish-pond. They exchanged confidences. Katto told 
of the strange white men he had seen at Ur^^. 
Then it came out that 0-Kama-San had also seen 
one of the snow-skinned to-jin, and after a little 
Katto was possessed of her secret, even to the detail 
of the flower-dropping. She was so sorry for the 
young prisoner who was to lose his head. 

Was the white yonth Ei^lish, American, Dutch, 
or French? 

0-Kama-San did not know. 

Could she not lead Katto to the place where he 
too might see the prisoner, and make a guess at his 
nationality ? 

No indeed. It would mean death for both of 
them if they should dare do such a thing and be 
discovered. 

Well then, Katto had learned a few words of 
American talk. If he should put them on paper 
and 0-Kama-San should happen to drop another 
flower with the paper attached, she might discover 
the prisoner's. nationality by his manner of receiving 
it. If he seemed much pleased, it would show him to 
be an American. If he looked puzzled and did not 



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Sm JL 80K OF BATSOHA 

understaQd, then he must he either Dutch or French. 
At all events, it would he a most interestiugp experi- 
ment that could not result in any harm. 

O'Kama-San, always ready for mischief, agreed 
that this would he great fun. So the note was 
written and delivered as has been related. The 
next time Katto met the governor's daughter she 
seemed ill at ease and greeted him coldly. 

What was the matter ? 

Oh, nothing at all. Only she was afraid tba 
young lord of Satsuma had a greater knowledge of 
the prisoner they had spoken of than he had con- 
fessed. 

What made the honorable 0-Kama^an think BO? 

Only that when the prisoner read the note she 
was so foolish as to drop, he seemed greatly affected 
and had said aloud in Japanese, " My brother ! " 

*'Is that all?" laughed Eatto. ''Then he was 
merely repeating the words on the paper, for that is 
what I wrote." 

" Oh 1 *' remarked the girl, relieved of her anxiety, 
and ready to smile once more upon the young Shi- 
madzu. 

That very evening B^tto sent off a letter to his 
father, begging him to come with all haste to the 
capital. But he need not have troubled himself ; 
for two weeks earlier the Shc^nn had sent to com- 
mand the presence of the Prince of Satsuma. Thus 
it happened that he reached Yedo on the very next 



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KATTO AND 0-KAMA-SAN »ft 

day, nod at once learned from Katto his suspicion 
that the American prisoner in the caatle and his 
adopted son Bob San were one and the same person. 

"That we will quickly discover," remarked the 
Prince of Satsuma, sagely ; and when the daimios 
were summoned by the Shogun to give him their 
advice as to what should be done with his trouble- 
some prisoner, he raised a question as to whether the 
captive were a white man. 

" Of course," replied the Shc^^on, testily ; " what 
else could he be?" 

*'I have been told," said Satsuma, calmly, "that 
he is yellow like those who come from China." 

*'It is a question easily settled," declared the 
Shogun. "I will have him brought for you to 
look upon." 

So Bob was brought before the assembled daimioa 
that they might decide upon his color, and the mo- 
ment the Prince of Satsuma saw him, he knew him 
to be his adopted son. He did not say bo, thoagh, 
but merely remarked, after the prisoner had been 
vrithdrawn : " His skin appeared to me to have in 
it quite as much of yellow as of white. In fact, he 
looked very like one of my own people from the Riv 
Kiv islands. Thinking thus, and knowing that if 
he be put to death, it vrill cause a very bitter feeling 
E^^nst the government in both Satsuma and Choisln, 
I advise that he be set free." 

"But he came from an American ship, and has 



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2ra A SON OF SATSUUA 

been heard to speak that language," argued .the 
Shogun. 

" Undoubtedly you were so informed," replied the 
daimio of Satsuma ; " bat I believe the ■whole story 
to be a tissue of lies designed to stir up a bitterness 
gainst ufi of the South." 

Upon this the controversy waxed hot, some of the 
daitnios demanding that the prisoner be immediately 
put to death, and others protesting against such a 
sentence. Finally, the Shogun, in a rage, dismissed 
the assembly, declaring half of them to be cow- 
ards, the other half traitors, and that he would deal 
with the case according to his own judgment, which 
meant that our friend Bob San was doomed to lose 
his head before the rising of another sun. 

But the Shogun was an elderly man, very stout, 
and he had been so unduly excited by the contro- 
versy that these words were hardly uttered before 
his face turned a livid purple, and he seemed to be 
strangling. He was hastily borne from the council 
chamber, and three days later the city rang with 
news of his death. 

After that, for a long time, prisoners, treaties, and 
such minor matters were forgotten in the all-absorb- 
ing question of who should succeed to the Shogonate. 



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CHAPTER XXXIII 

JAPAN STEPS DJTO LINK 

CoMMODOBB PEBBT at Canton learned of tb« 
death of the Japanese Shogun, or " Emperor," as 
he was persistently, though erroneously, called, and 
was told that on account of it he need not hope 
to transact any business with that kingdom for at 
least a year. Thus it would be quite useless for 
him to return in the spring. About the same time 
he learned that both the Russians and French had 
sent ships to Nagasaki, where they were endeavor- 
ing to obtain a hearing with a view to negotiating 
treaties. 

As a consequence of these reports, the American 
commodore promptly sailed for Yedo, though it was 
the stormy season of midwinter, and three months 
earlier than he had expected to return. Thus it 
happened that about the middle of February, 1864, 
to the consternation of the Japanese, a powerful fleet 
of nine American warships, three of them, the iS'u«- 
quehanna, S^aiasippi, and Powhatan, being steam- 
frigates, appeared in the vicinity of their capital. 
Disregarding the swarms of guard-boats sent ont 
to Warn them o£f, they moved steadily and majes- 
tically on past Uraga, past the Amerioan anchor- 
279 



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MO A SON OP SATStTHA 

age, and Dever pansed antil tbey had gainod a 
anug harbor off the fishing village of Yokohama, 
only eight miles from Yedo. The capital was 
plainly discernible from the mastheads, and at all 
times the striking of its temple bells could be 
distinctly heard. 

No sooner were anchors dn^ped thaa Ji^MUoese 
ofBcials began to arrive in hot haste from all direo- 
tions, demandii^ that the Americans at once more 
down the bay to Uraga, where an answer to the 
Presideat's letter, for which it was taken for granted 
they had come, would be given them. 

Conunodore Perry sent word from his cabin tjiat 
as the Uraga anchorage was unsafe at ihat, season, 
he preferred to receive communications from thar 
government where he was, unless indeed they would 
rather have him proceed to t^e capital itself. 

For ten days the Japanese persisted in their 
efforts to have him return to Uraga, yeh^nently de- 
claring that their Emperor would not permit n^o- 
tiatioDB to be conducted at any other point. Finally, 
Commodore Perry's patience came to an end, uid he 
informed them that unless they Immediately nuned 
some place near at hand, he Bboold, oa the morrow, 
move up to Yedo. 

Upon this they named the hamlet of Yt&ohama as 
being a place where the high officials might be per- 
mitted to meet him, provided time was allowed for 
the erection of a treaty house. Having thus gaioed 



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JAPAN STEPS INTO LINi: Ml 

his point, the commodore readily agreed to gi-ve 
them all necessary time for preparations, and named 
March 8 as the day on which he would go aahore. 

So it was arranged; and on the appointed day 
the scene enacted at Uraga a few months earlier was 
repeated, only with inimitely more of pomp and cere- 
mony. Five princes were delegated to meet the 
commodore this time, and when he went ashore he 
was preceded by a flotilla of thirty hoats carrying an 
honorary guard of five hundred American sailors. 
The treaty house was much larger than the one at 
Rurihama, and much more elaborately decorated. 

Here was received a formal reply to the Presi- 
dent's letter, in which for the first time in Japanese 
history the Shogun was named "Tycoon," or su- 
preme ruler. Here, too, after many days of consid- 
eration, a treaty, the first Japan had ever negotiated 
with a foreign power, was accepted and signed. 
By its terms three Japanese ports, Hakodate, Si- 
moda, and Kapha (for the last two Yokohama and 
Nagasaki were soon afterwards substituted) were to 
be immediately opened to American vessels visiting 
them in distress or in quest of supplies. To this 
list two more ports were to be added, and at the 
end of five years all five of them were to be free to 
American commerce. 

The whole month of March was spent in discuss- 
ing the terms of this treaty, in exchanging presents, 
and in the paying of official visits. Among the 



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an A SON OF SATSUHA 

presents seut by the United States goTemment to 
the Emperor of Japan, those attracting the most 
e{^er curiosity were a complete telegraphic outfit, 
supplieil with ten miles of wire, and a train of steam 
cars, Liliputian in size, but perfect in every detail, 
provided with a tiny locomotive and half a mile of 
track. Both of these, on being taken ashore, were 
set up and operated by American engineers, to the 
hoge delight of thousands of spectators. 

At length, early in April, the treaty waa signed, the 
flag of Japan, displayed at the foremast head of the 
Potehatan, was saluted by twenty-one guns, and 
the Americans, with their momentous mission hap- 
pily accomplished, prepared to take their departure. 
Some of the ships were to return to China, some 
were to accompany the commodore on a visit to the 
several newly designated treaty ports, and one, the 
Saraioga, was ordered to sail to the United States 
with Bob's friend. Captain Adams, who was to carry 
ft copy of the treaty to Washington. 

For some days before the one appointed for these 
sailings a rather shabby-looking fishiag-jnnk had 
been observed hovering about the American ships as 
though to gratify the curiosity of her crew ; but as 
she was only one of many, no especial attention was 
paid to her. It was somewhat of a surprise, there- 
fore, to the people of the PowhatoTi, now become the 
flf^hip, when, soon after dark, on the last evening 
of their stay in those waters, the shabby-looking 



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JAPAN STEPS INTO LINE S83 

jonk glided quietly alongside, and one of her crew, 
hailing in English, asked if he might come on board. 

"Not unless you have busineas," replied the officer 
of the deck. 

"But I have, and that of importance, with the 
commodore." 

Upon this the required permission was granted, 
and in another minute two meanly clad young Japs 
were standing on the deck. 

"Whom shall I annoimce?" inquired the officer 
of the deck, eyeing his visitors suspiciously. 

"A son of Satsuma will, I think, be sufficient," 
replied he who spoke English. 

The officer hesitated, but walked away, and re- 
turned a few minutes later with a decided change of 
demeanor. 

" If you gentlemen will follow me," he said ; and 
then the two young fishermen were led directly to 
the after-cabin. 

Not until the officer of the deck had retired did 
the commodore speak. Then, regarding his two 
visitors quizzically, he asked : — 

"Which is the real and which the make-believe 
son of Satsuma, for, 'pon my word, I can't tell ? " 

" We are both real," replied Bob. 

« Oh I you are the impostor, are you ? " laughed 
the commodore. " You certainly have improved 
your disguise since our last meeting. But why have 
you not been on board before ? 1 not only wanted 



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SM A SON OF 8AT8UMA 

your aid, but have been aaxious oonoeraiug yoo. 
One of my first inquiries was for my former inter- 
preters ; and General Yezaimen told me that both of 
you had returned to Kagosfaima, where I had deter- 
mined to look yoQ up before leaving the country. 
Sit down and tell me all about it." 

As we are familiar with BoVs story up to the time 
of the Sh<^fuQ'8 death, we will resume it with him at 
that point. 

"Upon the sudden death of the Shc^n without a 
direct heir," he said, " it rested with the Prime Minis- 
ter to select a successor. Most of the diumios were 
in favor of the son of the Prince of Mito ; but the 
Prime Minister was determined to make a Shogon 
out of a twelve-year-old boy, whom, as regent, he 
could control for many years. To carry his point he 
beheaded some of those opposed to him, on charges 
of treason, imprisoned others, and won the rest over 
by various concessions. The Prince of Sateuma held 
, out the longest of all ; but finally offered to with- 
draw his opposition if the Prime Minister would 
deliver into his power any one of the castle prisoa- 
ers whom he might choose. The latter agreed to 
this, thinking, of course that some daimio, who was 
either a friend or an enemy of Satsuma, would be 
chosen ; but when I was named he waa awfully put 
out. He said if it were discovered that he had re- 
leased the foreigner, not only the city, but the whole 
country, would rise against him. My fi^iur replied 



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JAPAN STEPS DTTO LIKE aSfi 

that he would di^uise me bo perfectly, aad carry me 
off BO seoretly, that no one need ever know. At any 
rate, that was the only condition od which he would 
consent to lyesada being made Shc^un. So the 
Minister finally gave in, and I waa set free. After 
that we didn't stay a minute in this part of the coun- 
try, but got back aa qoick as we could to Kagoshima, 
where I was to remain in hiding until you should 
come again in the spring. Then, the first thing we 
heard was that you were already here. When that 
news came, Katto and I started for this place by sea, 
hoping that even if you had left, we might still meet 
you, and we have been hanging around here a week, 
afraid to come on board till the very last minute. 
Mow, air, I hope yon are williE^ this time to take me 
with you to America. *' 

" According to your story," said the commodore, 
ignoring this plea, and with a puzzled frown vrrin- 
kling his forehead, " the treaty I have just negotiated 
has not been signed by the Emperor." 

" Oh, no, sip," replied Bob, " only by the general 
of his army. The Mikado doesn't know anything 
about it." 

" Then all my work goes for nothing ? " 

*^ I tjiink not, sir ; for if I understand the matter 
rightly, your treaty bears the Emperor's seal, which 
is the important thing, after all, and is binding on 
the government, no matter who uses it. That is what 
my adoptive father, the Prince of Satsama, says." 



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S88 A SON OF SATSUHA 

" Yes," said Eatto, now speaking for the first 
time, " the sear is everything." 

** Its use bj the Shogun has raised an awfal row, 
though," continued Bob, '*and the daimios are so 
angry at his allowing himself to be called Tycoon 
that it looks as though there'd be war in the land 
before youVe been long gone." 

" ' Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown,* " 
remarked the commodore, thoughtfully, and then, 
abruptly changing his tone, he said ; — 

" And so you want to get out of here before the 
fighting begins, do you ? " 

" No, indeed, sir. It isn't that. Td like well 
enough to stay and take part in it, but I want to 
get back to America a heap more. Tou see I've got 
an awful lot of studying to do, and the sooner I get 
at it, the better." 

"And how about your friend ? Does he also feel 
called upon to go away and study at a time of such 
importance to his country ? " 

" No, sir, he does not. He wants to go just as 
much as ever, but feels that he ought to stay here 
until he sees how things are going to turn out." 

" And both of you are quite right," rejoined the 
commodore. " In event of a civil war you, as a 
foreigner, have no business to be in it, and he, .as a 
native, has no business to be out of it. Moreover, I 
couldn't take him away with me because I promised 
the commissioners that no Japanese should be given 



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JAPAN STEPS INTO LINE 287 

passage on my ships. Nor can I take you to Amer- 
ica," — here the speaker paused and regarded Boh 
severely while the latter's heart sank within him, — 
" because," he continued, " I am not going that way. 
But one of my ships is ; and if you should happen 
to be in the vicinity of what we call the American 
anchorage to-morrow night about this time, I think 
you will find Ijdng there the sloop-of-war Saratoga. 
Then if you should happen to go on board, I 
shouldn't wonder if you discovered an old acquaint- 
ance bound for the United States, who would be 
pleased to have your company on his long journey." 
" Thank you, sir, more than I can ever express 1 " 
cried Bob. " I understand, and give you my word 
that no one, that is, no Japanese besides Katto, shall 
ever know what has become of me." 



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CHAPTER XXXIV 
HOKKWABD BOUND 

" Satokaba, my brother." 

** Oood-by, my brother." 

On the deck of the Saratoga the bods of SatBoma, 
who for more than two years had been inseparable 
comrades, embraced and parted. Eatto went over 
the side to the fishing-TeBeel waiting to carry him 
back to Kagoshima, the place of his duty; while 
Bob Whiting renuuned on board the great ship that 
was to bear him homeward. Captain Adams stood 
beside him as he gazed with dimmed eyes into the 
darkness, tryii^ to catch a final glimpse of his 
friend. 

"Seems a fine chap, that Japanese chom of 
yours," remarked the former, " and I wish we could 
take him with us." 

"Indeed, he is one of the dearest and best fellows 
in all the world," cried Bob ; " and if I thought I 
should never meet him a^un, I don't believe I could 
leave him. But he has promised to come to Amer- 
ica as soon as things have quieted down here, and I 
know he will keep hia word if he lives." 

" Are you going to continue to wear thrae togs ? " 
asked Captain Adams, changing the subject, "or 



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BOHEWARD BOUND ' 2S0 

thall w« fit joD out with some that are mora civil- 
ized?" 

" I snppofle I Bball have to shed these, and com- 
fort with them, for the sake of your so-called civili- 
zation," replied Bob, rnefully, " though it is too bad 
that one can't wear what he chooses, so long as he is 
decently covered." 

So oar lad was furnished with an outfit from the 
paymaster's stock of goods, and for the first time in 
two years wore the outward appearance, as well as 
the heart, of an American. 

With the coming of dawn the Saratoga got under 
way, and by nightfall she was eliding over the long 
Pacific rollers with a course laid for distant Hono- 
lulu, which port she made twenty-five days later. 
A steamer was about to leave for San' Francisco, and 
as Captain Adams had been ordered to make all 
possible speed to Washington, he decided to take 
passage on her. 

" Can yoQ afford to do the same ? " he asked our 
lad. 

" Tes," replied the latter, smiling ; " no son of 
Satsuma need worry over travelling expenses." 

Accordingly, Bob's queer-looking Japanese boxes 
were transferred, together with the captain's more 
modest luggage, to the G-olden 0-ate, and after ten 
more days she steamed into the harbor of San Fran- 
cisco. At that time there was no transcontinental 
railway by which ona might reach the AtUntic 



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aw A SON OF 8ATSUHA 

coast witbin a week ; so our friends most still travel 
by water via the Isthmas of Panama, across which a 
railway was then in process of construction. On 
this portion of the journey they experienced such 
vexatious delays that it was the 12th of July, or just 
one hundred days since leaving Yokohama before 
the treaty was handed to the President in the city of 
Washington. la September, it having been ratified 
by the Senate, and signed, Captain Adams ^;aiu 
took the precious document in charge and started 
back for Japan, by way of England, India, and 
China. Embarking od the Poahatan at Canton, he 
reached the Japanese treaty port of Simoda during 
the following January, or nine months and twenty- 
two days from the date of his departure. 

During the first half of this round-the-world jour- 
ney, the naval officer conceived a great interest in 
his travelling companion, and through many talks on 
the subject of education fired him with an ambition 
to enter the Naval Academy which had been estab- 
lished at Annapolis some ten years earlier. From 
his own experience he coached Bob in the stodies 
required for an entrance examination and promised 
to use whatever influence he might possess toward 
the procuring of an appointment for him. 

Thus it happened that on the second day after 
their arrival in Washington Bob was immensely 
pleased to receive an invitation to a reception at the 
White House. The note ^so intimated that he 



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HOHEWABD BOUND »I 

would confer a favor by appearing in Japanese cos- 
tume. Of course he complied with this request; 
and, attending the reception in company with Cap- 
tain Adams, attracted an embarrassing amount of 
attention, since this was tiie first time the peculiar 
and richly beautiful costume of a Japanese noble had 
ever been seen in the United States. During the 
evening he was introduced to the President, who 
asked him many questions concerning Japan and the 
condition of affairs in that country. Finally the 
latter said : — 

" I understand, Mr. Whiting, that it is your desire 
to enter the naval service of the United States 
through our Academy at Annapolis." 

"Yes, sir," replied Bob; "I would rather do that 
than anything else I know of." 

" Well, I don't know why so laudable an ambition 
should not be gratified, seeing that I have a vacant 
appointment at my disposal which I should be pleased 
to have you accept. Suppose we speak to the Secre- 
tary about it." 

With this. Bob was presented to the Secretary of 
the Navy, who, after a few moments' chat, invited him 
to call at his ofEce the next day. 

" There isn't the slightest doubt about it now," 
said Captain Adams, exultingly, as he and his gor- 
geously robed protege drove away from the White 
House. " A presidential appointee always goes 
through with flying colors." 



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m A SON OF SAT8UHA 

When Bob presented himself before the Secretary 
of the Navy, that gentleman asked him many qoes- 
tioos, all of which were answered with gratifying 
promptness. Finally he said: " I beliere, my boy, that 
yoQ are of the right staff from which to make a 
naval officer. Ton say yon have served an appren-i 
tioeship before the mast ? " 

" Yes, sir." 

" Know anything of navigation? " 

" I have studied it, and practiBed it to some extent. " 

" Are well np in the studies required for entrance 
examination, I suppose ? " 

" Captain Adams says I am, sir." 

" And, above all, yon are probably better posted 
than any other American concerning Japan, a 
country with which we are, apparently, about to 
have extensive dealings. So, taking it all in all, I 
don't see but what I might as well commission you a 
cadet midshipman at once." 

Bob seemed to feel himself swelling with pride 
and unadulterated happiness. 

" There is one thing more, though," continued the 
Secretary. " You are not yet of i^, I believe? " 

" No, sir, hot I am almost nineteen." 

"Then it will be necessary for us to have the 
written consent of your parents or guardian l^^ore 
we can receive you into the service." 

Bob's heart seemed to weigh like lead. " I have 
no parents," he said, in a low tone. 



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KOICEWARD BOUim 9ltt 

" Then, of course, you have s guardian ? " 

" No, sir. That is, not exactly ; but when I wM a 
small boy I was bound out to a farmer near Salem, 
Massaohusetta." 

" Did he formaUy release you from that bond, when 
you went to sea, or did you take French leave ? " 

"I am afraid I did, sir," replied poor Bob, not 
quite Buie that he understood the expression. 

" Then this farmer still has a legal claim to your 
services; and until he voluntarily relinquishes it 
in the presence of a notary, we can take no step 
towards placing you in the Academy. I am very 
sorry, but the law is explicit on this point, and can- 
not be disregarded. You must go to hint, and when 
yon have explained the situation, he will doabtless 
be glad to sign your release." 

" You don't know Farmer Datton, adr," said Bob, 
in a melancholy tone of voice. "There isn't one 
chance in ten thousand that he will release me. 
In fact, I might as well give up all hope of the 
navy from this minute." 

" I don't believe it is as bad as that," rejoined the 
Secretary, kindly ; *' unpleasant things never look 
half so bad at close range aa they do at a distance." 

" All right, sir ; I'll go and try to have him let 
me off. If I don't come back again, yon'll know I 
haven't succeeded." 

" I shall expect to see you back within a week," 
laughed the Secretary. 



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394 A SON OF BATSUBU 

Bob was 80 unhapp; over the anezpected result 
of tliia interview, that he did not care to see any of 
his newly made Washington friends. So, merely 
leaving a line for Captain Adams, saying that he 
had been suddenly called to Boston on business, he 
took his departure on the first north-bound train. 
As he had no hope of returning, he carried with 
him all Ms belongings, including the things he had 
brought from Japan. 

After a tedious journey, during which he was 
obliged to change cars at Baltimore, Philadelphia, 
New York, and Springfield, there being no through 
trains in those days, he reached Boston, and making 
one more transfer, found himself at the hailing-port 
of the Friendahip that same evening. 

In all this wearisome journey he had had but one 
bright anticipation, and that was the meeting with 
Hetty Lee, the dear little girl whose face, on that 
long-ago evening when she had kissed him, had 
been a steadfast memory during all his years of 
wanderlug. So impatient was he to see her again, 
and to receive the warm welcome that he knew 
would be extended by the inmates of the parsonage, 
that he eng^ed a carriage in Salem to take him and 
his belongings out there at once. 
, How familiar the road looked in the bright moon- 
light, and how few changes had been made 1 There 
was the very place where he had parted from Stiok- 
ney. How often had he wondered about the sailor 



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HOHEWABD BOUND 2U 

hd turned fann hand, and tried to picture to him- 
self what he was doing. Now he wondered if he 
would find him atill on the Dutton farm. 

At length the carriage drove up before the well- 
remembered parson^e, and Bob, springing out, went 
qnickly up the lilac-bordered walk and knocked 
at the door. In a minute it was opened by a tall 
^1 whose features were undisoenuble in the dim 
light. 

" Is Mr. Lee at home ? " asked Bob, in a voice that 
had a slight tremor in spite of his efforts to steady 
it. 

" No, sir, but he has only stepped over to a neigh> 
bor's, and may be back at any moment. Won't you 
oome in and wait ? " 

Yes, Bob would wait ; and he followed tJie tall 
^1 to the sitting room, where he hoped to find 
Hetty and her mother, but to his disappointment it 
was empty. 

His companion turned up the light a bit and then 
offered him a chair ; but instead of taking it he 
stood staring at her. 

" Can it be," he asked, in a bewildered tone, " that 
you are little Hetty Lee ? " 

" I was," replied the girl, smiling. Then she in 
turn gave him a searching look, while a slow flush 
crept into her cheeks. " I do betieve you are Bob 
White — I mean Mr. Whiting," she said. 

" Yes, I am Bob White." 



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296 A SON OF SATSUHA 

Then they ahook hands, and Hetty, to hide her em- 
barrassment, said she would go and call her mother. 

Bob had fully meant to kiss little Hetty Lee as 
soon as he saw her, but this tall girl was so different 
that he did not dare. 

" Isn't she pretty, though ! " he said to himself, and 
somehow the prospect of being compelled to live in 
that vicinity did not seem such a terrible hardship, 
after all. 



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CHAPTER XXXV 

JOHNNY RAW AT THZ AOADEUT 

No boy could have received a warmer welcome to 
an own home than was given to Bob WMtii^ hj 
Mr. and Mrs. Lee, while Hetty flitted in and oat 
of the room, making ready a late supper for the re- 
turned wanderer. She eaid little, but her eyes 
danced with happiness, while every few minutes a 
tiny smile dimpled her flushed cheeks. As they 
insisted that Bob should consider the parson^e his 
home as long as he remained in that part of the 
country, his boxes were brought in and the car- 
riage was dismissed. 

How they did talk I How much there was to tell 
and to hear I What a hero Boh appeared in the eyes 
cf those simple New Englanders, as the tale of his 
adventures on the other side of the world was 
gradually unfolded. They almost gasped with 
amazement when he told them of his formal adop- 
tion by the Pnnoe of Satsuma, and from that 
moment unconsciously treated him with an added 
respect. 

Late as it was, he could not resist the temptation 
to open his boxes and display some of the many 
beautiful things he had brought home, including 



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MS A SON OP SAT8TTHA 

his wonderful Japanese costumes, at all of which 
they marrelled with exclamations of delight. Com- 
ing across an exquisite jewel cabinet of inlaid work 
that he had brought for Hetty, Bob presented it to 
her, then and there, though she declared it dainty 
enough for a princess, and far too fine for the use 
of a simple little country girl. 

With all that he had to relate Bob managed to 
tell of his own prospects, and how important it 
was that Farmer Dutton should consent to bis 
entering the Naval Academy. 

" Of course he'll do it," said Mr. Lee, confidently. 
" I can't imagine his refusing. Ill go with you to 
see him in the morning.*' 

"Will we find Stickney Clark there?" asked 
Bob. 

** Who ? " inquired Mr. Lee, with a puzzled ex- 
pression. 

"Why, the chap who took my place." 

" Oh I John Stickney, that addle-pated young 
sailor ? No indeed. He only stayed about a month, 
daring which time he managed to turn the Dutton 
farm upside down and inside out, besides driving the 
whole community wild with his oatrageous perform- 
ances. Then he left, saying that life on shore was 
altogether too exciting for him, and we bavea't heard 
a word from him since." 

True to his promise, Mr. Lee went with Bob to 
we Farmer Dutton tiie next morning. The old man 



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JOHNNT RAW AT TH£ ACADBUT SM 

received them graciously enough ; but the momeat 
he discovered who Bob was, his face hardened. 
When their errand was explained, and he was asked 
to give his bound boy a written release from his ser- 
vice, he declared promptly and emphatically that he 
would do nothing of the kind. 

"Pretty thing to ask after all Pve lost on him 
already, ain't it ? " he cried. " No, sirree, not one 
minute does he get from me till the day he's twenty- 
one. Maybe I won't have to let him go then 
neither ; for if there's any justice in law, it'll 
compel him to make good the three years he's stole 
from me, and work right here till he's four and 
twenty." 

" But, Mr. Dutton," began Bob's friend, " con- 
^der — " 

" I won't consider nothing, " broke in the farmer, 
" 'cepting that it's the middle of hayiu', and I want 
help the wust kind. So my young gentleman can't 
git into his workin' close none too quick. If he tries 
to run away again, I'll shut him up in jail tUI he 
lams what's what, and who's who." 

Nothing that could be urged served to move the 
farmer a hair's-breadth from this position, and it 
was only upon Mr. Lee's ^surance that he would 
be responsible for Bob's return, that the latter 
was permitted to go back to the parsonage for hia 
belongings. 

" I'll run away and go to sea again as a oommon 



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SW A SOH OF SAT8UMA 

uilor befoTe 111 stay here and give that old skin- 
fliat the best years of my life," declared Bob, bitterly, 
as he and his companion slowly retraced their steps 
toward the parsonage. " I might as well have re- 
mained a slave in pirate Zeke Dutton's pepper fields, 
as to come home and be one on his father's farm." 

*' Who did yon say, and what did you call him 7 " 
demanded Mr. Lee, stopping short, and squarely 
facing the angry lad. 

" I said Zeke Dutton, and I called him a pirate, 
which is exactly what he was," replied Bob, stoutly. 
" And what's more, this whole commimily shall 
know it before I've been here many days." 

" That is a very grave charge, and one that might 
have a serious effect on the old people if it were 
made public. Have you any proof that it is a true 
one ? " 

"Yes, I have," answered Bob. "In one of my 
boxes is a miniature likeness of old Dutton and his 
wife, that I took from the neck of their pirate son 
just before he died." 

" If you have such a miniature," said Mr. Lee, 
meditatively, " I believe Mr. Dutton would give 
almost anything you asked him for it, especially if 
you added an offer of silence concerning what you 
have just told me." 

Bob's face shone with excitement. " I declare, sir, 
I believe you are right 1 " he cried. " Why didn't 
I think of it before 1 Let's hurry and find it." 



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JOHNNT RAW AT THE ACADBWT 301 

But search aa they might, the miniature waa not 
to be found. Boxes were turned upside down and 
their contents thoroughly examined, without result. 

" I am afraid it is lost," said Bob, despondently. 

"Then I am afraid your cause is lost as well," 
rejoined Mr. Lee ; " since a charge of piracy against 
one who has for years been credited with missionary 
labor is too serious to be accepted without proof." 

Mr. Lee and Bob had thus far conducted this 
search without mentioning ita object to the other 
inmates of the parsonage, and now, being called to 
dinner, they returned to the sitting-room where Mrs. 
Lee and Hetty awaited them. 

" Here is something that I think must belong to 
you," said the latter, as Bob entered the room. At 
the same time she held out to him a small object 
wrapped in a bit of silk and securely tied with 
silken thread. " I found it in one of the drawers 
of that lovely cabinet," she added. 

" Oh, you blessed girl ! " cried Bob, taking the 
packet eagerly from her and tearing off the en- 
velope. " Here it is, Mr. Lee. The very thing we 
have been looking for — see." 

It was indeed the missing miniature that Bob 
had laid carefully away in the cabinet more than 
a year before and then forgotten. Mrs. Lee and 
Hetty wondered at his caring for it, and also how it 
came into his possession ; for the minister did not 
think it fair that even they should learn its history 



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am A BOM OF SATSUHA 

before Mr, Dntton had been given a ohaooe to zft- 
deem it. 

And redeem it he did, gladly enough, when, an 
hour later, Mr. Lee and Bob carried the miniature 
to him with the story of how it had oome into our 
lad'fl hands. He himself made the offer of Bob's 
freedom in return for it, together yriOi their per- 
petoal silence on the subject of his scm, and they 
promptly closed with his proposition. 

ThiiB Bob Whiting, ^ain rtused fnnn the depths 
of desptur to the heights of happiness, was enabled 
to return to Washington within the week, bearing 
with him a paper, sealed by a notary, that formally 
released him from all future setvice to Farmer 
Dutton. 

After that, but three events occurred in titia por- 
tion of our friend Bob's career that must be recorded 
before we can part with him. The first took place 
on the day after he was admitted to the Academy. 
He was crossing the parade, feeling very oonscious 
of his recently assumed closely fitting uniform, and 
gazing about him with all the curiosity of a new- 
comer, when he encountered three jaunty third-class 
men who halted before him. 

" Hello, Johnny Raw ; " cried one, " how dare 
you walk the same earth with us? Off with that 
new cap and make three pretty bowa. Quick, sir, 
before I consign you to the monkey watch." 

" Overhaul your jaw-tackle and get your beariagf^ 



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JOHNNY RAW AT THB ACADEMY SOS 

John Stickuey," remarked the new man, calmly, as 
he gazed ateadily into the other's face ; " the last 
time I sighted jour figurehead you were bound for 
hayseed town yourself, and they do say that you 
milked the pump and watered the cows till you 
couldn't tell one from t'other." 

" What do you mean, sir ? Who are you ? Where 
do yoa come from ? '* 

"Mean what I say, and have just come from the 
country of politeness called Japan," replied Bob, 
ignoring the second question. 

" You aren't the son of Satsuma we've been hear- 
ing so much about, are yoa?" asked one of the 
others. 

" I am permitted the honor of calling the Prince 
of Satsuma my father by adoption." 

*' But they said bis name was Robert Whiting, and 
he's the very chap we are looking for," exclaimed 
the first speaker. 

" While mine \b merely ' Bob White,' " laughed 
our lad. 

" Great Ceasar's ghost I " cried Stickney Clark, 
seizing Bob by the shoulders and gazing searcbingly 
into his face, ** you don't mean it I And yet you 
must be, for I begin to trace the resemblance. Why, 
matey, I've been wanting to meet you and hear all 
about it, more than I've wanted 'most anything else 
I can think of. But how, in the name of the 
Horse Marines, did you ever drift into this latitude ? 



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804 A SON OF SATSUHA 

Never mind, though. * Corae along of bus,' as they 
say in ' Lunnon,' and we'll dock where we can gam 
till the cows come home." 

In another moment four square-shouldered young 
men might have been seen marching stifBy across 
the parade, as though impelled by a single soul, and 
one of them was our Bob. 

For three months after entering the Academy Bob, 
aided by Stickney, studied night and day. Then 
he applied to be examined for a third-class rating, 
passed with fiying colors, and the two lads who had 
once exchanged places ranked together. 

It was about a year after this that the grand old 
frigate J^Btissippi steamed proudly into Annapolis 
harbor with a prodigiously long homeward-bound 
pennant streaming from her maintopmast head, and 
looking as spick and span as though just out of 
dock instead of just ending a voyage from the other 
side of the world. The cadets crowded the pier to 
welcome her first boat, and they gazed curiously at 
a little brown chap, unbecomingly clad in the gar- 
ments and tall hat of civilization, who sat aft with 
the officer in charge. 

*' The heathen in his blindness bows down to coat 
and pants," remarked Stickney Clark to Bob Whit- 
ing, who stood beside him ; but the latter paid no 
attention. He was staring too intently with a face 
of mingled hope and doubt at the odd-looking chap 
in tiie stem sheets. Then all appearance of doubt 



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JOHNNT RAW AT THE ACADEUT 306 

Taaished in the glad light of recc^aition, and as the 
stranger stepped hesitatingly ashore, Bob rushed 
toward him, and without a thought of the amused 
spectators fiung his arms about hira in the embrace 
of loving brotherhood. 

Of course it was Katto, and as they drew a little 
apart for a better look into each other's face, a kindly 
voice from behind said : — 

" I thoi^ht it would be a happy surprise for you, 
Whiting, when I arranged with the Japanese gov- 
ernment for him to come and enter our Naval Acad- 
emy. Now look out for him and see that he never 
has cause to regret leaving his own country for a 
sojourn in ours." 

"Thank you, sir, a thousand times," replied Bob, 
whirling around and saluting. "You have done 
much for me, hut this is the best of all." 

A little later Commodore Perry, who had returned 
from China by way of England some weeks earlier, 
and bad now hurried down ttom Washington to 
meet his home-coming ship, was rowed out to the 
Mitaitaippi and received with a thunderous salute 
from her great guns. He was in full service uniform, 
and when he mounted the side ladder to a shrill 
piping of boatswains' whistles, the whole ship's com- 
pany was waiting to receive him. As his broad 
pennant was once more flying to the breeze, a mighty 
cheer broke from five hundred lusty throats, the 
band on the quarter-deck struck up " Hail to the 



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SM A SON OF SAT8UMA 

Chief," tnd the brave old commodore, who hsd 
gained for the United States without the shedding 
of a drop of blood one of the greatest of her vio- 
tories, was again in command. 

For an hour his fl^ snapped proudly in the sun- 
light. Then, amid a profound and sorrowful silence, 
it was hauled down for the last time. The commo- ■ 
dore went ashore, never again to go to sea, and his 
stanch old ship, that had so nobly performed her 
part, was put out of commission. 

Two more years passed happily and quickly. 
Thau one day old Fort Severn, now the Naval Acad- 
emy gymnasium, was converted into a bit of fairy- 
land for the crowning festivities of a graduating 
class. Two spectators discussed the brilliant scene 
of ihe graduation hop. 

" There," said one of them, " goes the belle of the 
ball, by far the prettiest girl here. Who is she ? " 

"I don't know her name," replied the other, "bat 
I believe she is the daughter of a New England 
parson. The chap she is dancing with, though, is 
the honor man of his class, and has just graduated 
number one." 

" Indeed," remarked the first speaker, gazing with 
renewed interest at the handsome young couple. 
"Is that Whiting?" 

"Yes, that is Robert Whiting," was the reply, 
" though here at the Academy he is always known 
as the ' Son of Satsuma.' " 



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