264 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



Yezaimen. How many miles can you make in an hour with your steam engine ? 



Lieut. C. Eight Japanese or thirteen American miles, with steam only and without wind. 

 In the United States, there are some very light steamers on the river which can go eighteen 

 miles an hour. 



Yezaimen. Where were steamers first invented ? 



Lieut. C. In America : an American named Fulton first invented them in New York. 



Yezaimen having heen urged to remain and ohserve the engine in motion, his curiosity 

 prompted him to do so, and his hoat and that of Saboroske being taken in tow, these two 

 officials and their interpreters, while the anchors were weighing and the steamers were 

 proceeding to their old anchorage, partook freely of the hospitalities of the officers, and busied 

 themselves in gratifying their natural desire of seeing all that was to be seen on board the ship. 



These Japanese officials, evincing as they always did a certain reserved curiosity, yet showed an 

 intelli'^ent interest in the structure of the steamer and all that pertained to its appointments. 

 While the engines were in motion they minutely inspected every part, but exhibited no fear, 

 nor any of that startled surprise that would be expected of those who were entirely ignorant of 

 its mechanism. They seemed to acquire rapidly some insight into the nature of steam, and into 

 the mode with which it was applied to put into action the great engine and move by its power 

 the wheels of the steamers. Tlieir questions were of the most intelligent character, and they 

 asked ao-ain by whom steamers were first discovered, and to what speed they could be propelled 

 through the water. They examined with marked interest various engravings which were shown 

 them of American river and sea steam vessels, and also some views of New York, New Orleans, 

 and San Francisco, which happened to be on board. Yezaimen^ having observed the revolvers 

 in the belts of some of the American officers, expressed a desire to examine the construction and 

 see one let oif. His curiosity was accordingly gratified by one of the captains, who fired off a 

 revolver from the qiiarter deck, and he watched the repeated discharges of the six barrels with 

 very evident astonishment but no alarm. 



There was a marked contrast observed between the bearing of the two officials. While 

 Yezaimen always exhibited a modest reserve of manner, Saboroske was bold and pushing. The 

 former evinced an intelligent curiosity, but the latter showed an importunate inquisitiveness. 

 Yezaimen was always the quiet, courteous, and reserved gentleman, but Saboroske was perpetually 

 bustling, rude^ and intrusive. The latter was continually peering his bold and impudent face 

 into every nook and corner, whether invited or not, and appeared more desirous of acting the 

 spy than of gratifying the interest of a liberal curiosity. 



A shrill blast of the steam whistle now announced the arrival of the steamers ofi" Uraga, 

 and startled the Japanese to their feet, as the time of their departure had arrived. The engines 

 were stopped for a few minutes while the Japanese boats were brought alongside from the stern, 

 where they had been in tow. Yezaimen and his party were evidently disappointed that their 

 visit was brought so soon to a close, and expressed some reluctance at leaving before they 

 had fully gratified their curiosity. 



The whole squadron now got in position, the steamers having been joined by the two sloops- 

 of-war, the Plymouth and Saratoga, and all four ships presented a formidable array as they 

 stood ofi" in a line abreast of each other and advanced with running lines of soundings up the 

 bay. The course was now directed toward the eastern shore, leaving on the west the promontory 

 of Uraga and a beautiful bay beyond, which disclosed to the view its surrounding hills of the 



