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A NAVAL BATTLE. 351
and try first the issue with the forts and vessels. It
is a case of one ship against three, and six guns
against half a hundred. I have no charts, and do
not know how my Japanese pilots, furnished me by
the Yedo authorities, will serve me, but I believe my
duty is to face the tiger.
To have each daimio in
Japan firing on the peaceful merchant-vessels of a
Treaty Power, and making indiscriminate war, will
not be tolerated by our government, nor by any other
civilized power."
" Well, whatever is done, captain, may
it be for
God's glory, the coming of Christ's kingdom, and
the breaking of !
every yoke The missionaries out
here are like those men at home working in that
East River caisson under the water. Some day a
glorious suspension bridge may unite New York and
Brooklyn and so also, Japan and the Christian na- s^Cvn
;
tions of the earth may be joined by the gospel in
faith and love to one common Master ;
but oh, how
far off it does seem sometimes ! Between our country's
troubles and discouragements here, we missionaries
have at present ' the cloudy and dark day ' of
Jeremiah. God bless you, captain! and preserve you
and our gallant men in the battle."
"Well, doctor, I find all good Japanese are as
much perplexed as we are. We Americans have
been two years in actual civil war, and the Japanese
are just drifting into it. The Tycoon and his rebellious
vassals will soon be arrayed against each other
in arms. Even though
I must vindicate the honor
of my country's flag, I do yet hope most earnestly