Chap. XV. MURDER OF MR. RICHARDSON. 
Gower that she had just ridden for her life over 
seven miles, and had escaped she knew not how 
from a most dastardly and murderous attack upon 
herself and her companions ; that about four 
miles beyond Kanagawa, nearly half-way to Kawa- 
saki, they had met part of a Daimio’s train, con- 
sisting of a large body of two-sworded men, coming 
from Yedo, some of whom signed to them to move 
aside, which they did. They drew up their horses 
at the side of the road, hut in consequence of con- 
tinued signs to go back they turned their horses to 
return towards Kanagawa. Without a word, or 
the slightest further notice, some of the retainers 
drew their swords and fiercely attacked them. A 
cut was aimed at Mrs. Borradaile’s head, which she 
fortunately avoided by quickly stooping, though 
her hat was cut away by the blow. The three 
gentlemen were badly wounded, and being entirely 
surrounded, and the road being for some distance 
lined by their assailants, and being themselves en- 
tirely unarmed, they had no course but to dash 
through them, and to endeavour thus to effect their 
escape. Mrs. Borradaile saw Mr. Richardson fall 
from his horse, as she supposed, dead, and the 
others were so badly wounded that Mr. Marshall 
told her to ride for her life and try to save herself, 
as he did not think they could keep up. She 
scarcely remembers what happened afterwards, but 
she recollects riding into the sea, preferring the 
risk of drowning to falling into the hands of these 
bloodthirsty miscreants. Her horse, however, re- 
