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ARRESTED AND IN PRISON. 237
that he seemed excited, and watched him. When
the American party was coming into the village, the
inn-keeper noticed Honda standing behind the gate
which would open on the street. He had slipped
back the wooden bolt, and holding the leaves of the
gate shut with his foot, he turned his sword in his
belt and spat upon his sword-hilt."
" Spat upon
it ? You mean he moistened with his
tongue the bamboo pin which held the blade firmly
to the hilt. That was to avoid all danger of the
blade slipping out."
" Certainly, master. Upon seeing this, the innkeeper
suspected his intention, and knowing that if
harm came to the Americans he himself would have
to suffer and the reputation of his house be damaged,
went over to the temporary government office
and gave information. Upon that, three two-sworded
men, each one armed with a long pole armed at the
end with twisted iron hooks, entered stealthily the
rear of the inn, The American admiral was just
then within a rod of the house, and Honda was just
about to rush out at Perry and draw his sword and
strike, when the three guards charged on Honda.
One twisted up his clothes with the ball of hooks,
one got his iron rake of spikes between his legs and
pulled him flat on the ground, and the third pinned
his head down to the earth with his iron yoke,
making him helpless, in spite of his sword ; they
disarmed and gagged him ;
and it was all done so
quickly that the Americans probably never knew
there had been any disturbance, especially
as two