WE RECEIVE A XOCTURXAL VISIT. 
285 
with orders to call tlie purser and myself in case of any 
arrivals. I have every reason to believe that this “ mai'i- 
nized seamster” went immediately to sleep ; for, after we 
had vainly devoted hours to the same end, Ave suddenly 
heard voices at a distance, and, upon leaving the tent, 
found him seated after the fashion of his craft, and un- 
able to answer. 
Upon reaching the elevation of the bank, and looking 
in the direction from which the voices came, a beautiful 
sight presented itself to our eyes : no less than forty or 
fifty Japanese, each bearing one of their fancifully-painted 
lanterns, were moving toward us at a rapid pace. The}' 
did not seem to fear detection ; but, in order to “provide 
against all precautions,” we got under arms, six of us 
being at the boat and eight at the tent. 
As they continued their approach, they talked in very 
loud tones, (to give each other courage, one of the men 
remarked ;) but, as soon as they saw us awake and pre- 
pared, a halt took place, and one of the party advanced 
alone. Upon being met by me w'itliout any blood flow- 
ing, he was followed by others of his company, and, the 
purser now joining with bust-proof and the tent-guard, 
we Avere soon engaged deeply in the mysteries of pan- 
tomime. 
It Avould be tedious to explain the numerous signs 
Avhich the constant necessity of driving from their coasts 
strangers Avith A\Uom they cannot exchange a Avord has 
placed at the disposal of these people : it Avill be enough 
to say that in the present case, assisted by the fcAV Avords 
of their language picked up at Si-mo-da and Ila-ko-da-di, 
Ave made ourselves very fairly understood. And the fol- 
