LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOSEPH HARDY NEESIMA

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38 EARLY LIFE. did night, being aroused by the brisk steps of sailors overhead in the morning. I heard also some .Jap­anese talking with the captain in the cabin, -custom­house officers. come on board to examine the vessel ' v before she left the harbor. It was useless for me to rise, because I was locked up in my room ; so I re­mained quietly waiting for the captain's summons. "At that moment all the past events of my life eame to my reeolleetion. What troubled me most was my filial affeetion to my parents and grandfather, so touch­ingly roused up then. However, it was too late for me to look back, anu I was glad for my suceess so far. It was no small undertaking for me to start a new life who had no experience in hardships, and to latmeh myself into the almost boundless ocean to seek some­thing to satisfy my unquenchable appetite. What kept up my courage was an idea that the unseen hand would not fail to guide me. I had also an idea of risking my life for a new adYenture, and said within myself: if I fail in my attempt altogether, it may be no least loss for my country ; but if I am permitted to come home after my long exile to yet 1mknown lands, I may render some service to my dear country. "Toward noon the eaptain unlocked my door and called me up on deck. Then the vessel was quite far off from the harbor, and that beautifUl city Hakodate was almost sunk beyond the horizon. We were sail­ing along the coast, and the blue mountains were more or less within our sight for twelve days. When we came to leave the blue peaks of those mountain islands beyond the expansive horizon, I climbed up into the rigging to eatch their last sight. I felt then some­what sensitive, but some thoughts of the future gave me fresh courage, and I looked forward to China in-

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