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228 HONDA THE SAMU&A1.
ankles, the coat marked by the dyer with the owner's
name, Kichibe"!, in white mordant, the straw sandals,
and the knotted blue handkerchief over the forehead.
In case of Okuma's getting into trouble, or on KichibeTs
desire to communicate with him, the latter
was to sing or chant like a push-cart man. No foreigner
who hears this cry for the first time can ever
forget but it, among natives it would attract little
attention, especially when uttered in a low voice.
For nearly ten days Okuma, acting as an assistant
in the gang of servants, doing menial and laborer's
service, was able each day by due prostration and
use of commonplace speech to spend much time
unchallenged in the house erected near the treatypavilion.
In this house the American 1 presents,
arms, tools, maps, books, daguerreotype and electrical
apparatus, and machinery for the little railroad,
with the preparation of chemicals and equipment,
were exhibited and prepared. He not only assisted
in planting the telegraph-poles and in laying the
ties of the little railroad, but was present all day
long when the preliminary messages were sent in
Japanese, English, and Dutch, over a mile line of
wire, and when the little Philadelphia locomotive
made its trial trip with a mimic train of cars. All
the machinery and apparatus were at length put
together and set in working order, while the ornamental
and useful articles were ranged in imposing
display. Then the Japanese officers from Yedo, the
embassador, envoys, secretaries, and interpreters,
came in a body to visit the curiosities and receive