LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOSEPH HARDY NEESIMA

55/372

EXPERIENCES ON SHIPBOARD. 39 stead of looking homeward. Three days after I lost sight of our mountain island our vessel was towed up to Shanghai by a small tugboat. " Here I must mention my experience on the voy­age. As I was unable to pay my passage, I agreed with the captain to work for it. So I commenced my service in the cabin. Alas ! I could not speak a single word in English. So the captain was kind enough to teach me the names of the objects found in the cabin. It was a regular object lesson. He pointed out an ob­ject, speaking its name distinctly that I might catch it. There was one passenger on board. I know not whether he was an American or an Englishman. He also taught me English. Sometimes he treated me very kindly, and sometimes very roughly. I was once beaten by him because I did not understand what he ordered me to do. Then I was terribly enraged, and rushed down to my room for my Japanese sword to revenge myself. When I caught my sword and was about to dash 011t of the room, a thought came to me at once that I must take a serious consideration before I should take such an action. So I sat down on my bed and said \vi thin myself: This may be a mere trifling matter; I may possibly meet still harder trials hereafter. If I cannot bear this now, how can I ex­pect to meet a serious one? I felt quite ashamed of my impatience, and resolved that I should never resort to my sword for any causes. " Another event took place on the voyage to China. When I had emptied a dish tub, after washing dishes, I carelessly threw a tablespoon overboard. The Chi­nese steward frightened me by saying, ' The captain will beat you.' I thought it might be a costly silver spoon. Then I took out all the Japanese money I

※このページを正しく表示するにはFlashPlayer10.2以上が必要です