THE YAKONEENS. 
Chap. IV. 
and American Legations, whose countries had 
already made treaties with Japan, there was a 
deputation from Prussia engaged in making a 
treaty for that country, and a number of American 
officers who had come out in the ‘ Niagara ’ with 
the J apanese ambassadors. Everything was going 
on quietly ; and although a short time before 
Mr. Aleock’s servant— a Japanese — had been 
murdered, and an attempt had been made upon 
the life of a Frenchman in the service of the French 
Consul-General, the impression was, that these 
men were probably not altogether blameless, and 
had brought such punishments upon themselves. 
Be that as it may, no one seemed to have any 
hesitation in moving about, and I thus had an 
opportunity of seeing all the most remarkable parts 
of the city, as well as many suburban places of 
great interest. It is true that we were always 
followed by the guard of yakoneens, but one had 
only to fancy himself a person of great importance 
—a prince or a noble in the far East— and this 
body-guard was easily endured. I found them 
always perfectly civil, and often of great use in 
showing me the right road. 
