CHAPTER I 



DEPARTURE FROM NEW YORK — ^A RACE WITH THE IMPERIAL 

 LIMITED — IMPRESSIONS OF JAPAN — SINGAPORE — ^AR- 

 RIVAL AT BATAVIA, JAVA — BUITENZORG BORO BUDUR, 



THE WONDROUS BUDDHIST MONUMENT 



Having concluded important business matters dur- 

 ing a brief stay in New York, I decided to go to Canada 

 to take the express train for Vancouver. It was the 

 last train which made connection with the Canadian 

 Pacific steamer for Hong-Kong, and if I could make it 

 I should save three weeks. With the assurance that 

 I should have a couple of hours latitude, I started in 

 the morning for Montreal. There was no doubt that I 

 should make it unless something unusual delayed the 

 north-bound train, and that is exactly what occurred. 

 The steam power of the brake got out of order, necessi- 

 tating a stop for repairs, and considerable time was lost. 

 Darkness came on and I began to feel anxious about the 

 prospect of gaining my object. 



The conductor and his assistant, in the knowledge 

 that I had a through ticket to Hong-Kong, did everything 

 in their power to aid me. Wire messages were sent to 

 have the Imperial Limited Express wait for "a man 

 travelling first-class"; to the custom-house, and also 

 for a cab and four "red caps*' to meet me on arrival. 



