PAST AND PRESENT. 209 



European cur dog. The sporting men of Japan took to 

 the latest breach-loaders, giving outrageous prices for 

 them. I have known rich Japanese go into one of the 

 large stores in Yokohama, where almost anything can 

 be bought, and simply buy some of everything ! The 

 price was no object. Ko people, I should imagine, have 

 paid so heavily for wisdom as these. 



For seven years I was working on their wild coasts 

 far away from the influence of the foreigner, and gene- 

 rally amongst the poorer class of natives. The kindness 

 and real courtesy I ever received and met with during 

 that time I shall never forget. I have lived with them 

 on the mountains and in the plains, either putting up 

 in a temple or in a cottage. Assistance of whatever 

 kind required was ever ready. To ask a labouring 

 man busy at work in his field to show the way up some 

 tangled mountain side was a very common occurrence. 

 He would at once leave his hoe, tie his loin-cloth on, 

 and start immediately, frequently for the whole day. 

 As for reward, it never seemed to enter their heads. 

 One day when shooting I managed to double my ankle 

 under, and sprain that joint so necessary for locomotion 

 so badly I could only hobble a few yards and then sit 

 down. A native, working in his field, saw my vain 

 endeavours to get on, and donning his single robe came 







