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]78 HONDA THE SAMURAI.
breached, crows flying wildly about, and the streets
of the city
full of dead and wounded. This was the
first time Mr. Rai had showed the book to any one
except Doctor Sano, his friend. His wife, terrified,
and almost " breathless, asked, When are the Americans
coming " ?
"Well, the Hollanders said Perry would arrive
about this time; and I find that in the last news
from Yedo orders have been given to watch at
the headlands for the approach of the painted ships
which have already been seen off the islands of the
Sleeping Dragon."
At this moment a knock was heard near the porter's
lodge out of the house. The gate-watch, lantern
in hand, inquired, " Who 's there ? " " Doctor
Sano would like to see Mr. Rai," was the answer.
The large gate was at once thrown open and the
doctor was ushered in. He had just come from
the mansion of the lord of Echizen, where he had
heard news :
"
A foot runner has just brought
dispatches
from the government at Yedo that four
black ships, two of them steamers from America,
have cast anchor at Uraga. The daimio has sent
you a copy of the orders from the Yedo government."
Breaking open the seal, Mr. Rai read; "You are
hereby ordered to take all means in your power to
calm the people, allay any excitement, and arrest
suspicious characters, so that none of our people
leave the province, and that all ronin be watched."
"
How old is the news from Yedo, doctor ? " asked
Mr. Rai.
all