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214 HONDA THE SAMURAI.
" So you think the Tokugawas, like the priests of
Go-ji-ga-hara, invite our nation to settle into peace,
when in reality they would destroy it."
"Yes, that is it; but listen Some one down-
stairs is inquiring for us."
In a moment more a maid announced two visitors,
who, being introduced, forthwith all present fell on
all fours, with palms and knees and foreheads on
the matting. Mutual announcement of names, inquiries
after health, compliments, and polite sucking in
of the breath followed. In brief, the elder of the
visitors was a learned scholar, Okuma Ei, versed in
Chinese, Dutch, and French, and the younger his
sometime pupil, Nog Toro.
Polite commonplaces over, Ban inquired of Okuma
the news.
" Consider us genuine boors who have not even
learned to tuck up our coat-tails in our girdles, after
the manner of Adzuma men ; for my friend here has
What
never been in Yedo, and I not for two years.
good thing have country?"
you last done for the honorable
" The government has voted to buy a modern man-
of-war built in European style."
" Wonderful ! A steamer, and will purchase it of
the Dutch?"
"Yes; but I have petitioned to have some of our
countrymen go out to Europe to negotiate for it,
learn how to work the machinery, get experience
in navigation and engineering, and find out a good
deal of the world in coming and going."