216 
‘‘nipon’* and “amelika/* 
will effect! It was our most powerful lever in working 
ourselves into the good graces of those singular but— I 
mean the masses — well-meaning people. 
The motion of the watch seemed to afford them more 
satisfaction than any thing else; and, by pointing to the 
sun and the hour-hand alternately, making various signs, 
and using a few disconnected words of their language, 
which we would acquire expressly for these walks, we 
generally gave them a very fair idea of its use and value. 
They were also much amazed at our revolvers, making 
signs that one American was more than equal to six Ja- 
panese, and that “Nipou” and ‘‘Amelika” must always 
be friends. 
When we would get up to leave, after all this, they 
would press around to shake hands, and often accompa- 
nied us some distance on our walk. They seemed to 
pass at once from a state of distrust to one of perfect 
confidence, and would laugh heartily at other parties 
who, seeing us suddenly round a corner, would drop 
their baskets or bundles and run for dear life, until re- 
assured by a well-known voice or familiar face. We 
could not avoid the conviction that the officials had im- 
pressed the people with the idea that we were cut- 
throats, &c., and that they would best consult their own 
safety by avoiding all communication. At any rate, they 
always received us distrustfully and parted from us in 
the utmost good-humour. 
It was in this way that we continued our walk up the 
romantic valley until 1 p.m., when we reached a w^ayside 
tavern, where we wiped our heated brows, pulled off our 
heavy boots, and stretched out upon the clean-lookmg, 
