THE FINEST SWORDS IN THE WORLD. 
201 
with the occasion. When they had first drawn up 
around the table, (with the dignity of gentlemen, it must 
be confessed,) w^e had intimated, by unmistakable signs, 
our desires to see their swords, of the beautiful polish 
and temper of which we had heard so much, and they 
had universally refused to draw them, expressing their 
surprise and wonder in horrified glances and mysterious 
shakings of the head. Now, however, they readily gave 
them into our charge, making signs that they could not 
eat and drink with comfort while bothered wdth them, 
and pointing to the state-rooms as places of safety where 
they might be laid. Of course we went into those state- 
rooms, and with closed doors examined their beautiful 
workmanship and temper to our hearts’ content. 
“I’ll tell you what it is!” said the Nussian, as he 
watched with reluctant gaze the rapid inroads which 
they made in the precious punch: “these fellows talk 
very smoothly now, and promise you every thing you ask 
for; but wait until the time comes to fulfil their promises 
and see how they will act. The only way our admiral 
could get along with them was by getting the men under 
arms and threatening to march them upon Yeddo when- 
ever they promised without acting; and, if you ever ex- 
pect them to bring you half the provisions they have put 
on that list, your commodore will have to do the same 
thing.” 
And he was right; for, as long as we were in Japan, 
we could never succeed in getting any thing but a few 
eggs, now and then a tough chicken, and occasionally a 
quart or two of fresh beans. Rice, soya, and saki were 
the only three articles they ever furnished in abundance. 
