Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1848-05-20


towards us and motioned us to go away
We however continued approaching them
until we got very near, when we all fell
on our knees before them. One of them
came up to me and would have struck me
down with his sword but his hand was held
back by an old man, who stood behind him.
| made signs to them that we were HARM
less people and wanted food. After much
talking amongst themselves they brought
us some rice and fish which we ate. They
then again motioned to us so be off. Itook
them to our boat and made signs to them
that it was impossible for us to 90 to sea in
such small thing, and that if they would
give us the materials for building a larger
one, we would go away in it. On this
there was another consultation amongst
them and one of them wrote something on
piece of paper and sent man away with
it. In about half an hour he returned with
a letter which was read aloud by one of
them, and we were then ordered to get into
our boat again after being searched and de-
prived of every thing about us. They
then got another boat to tow ours up the
river along which we proceeded in this
way until we got into lake, on one side
of which stood house covered all round
with mats, which we were made to enter.
We remained in it until night, when
they came again with lanterns and ordered
lis to follow them, motioning to us, that if
we endeavored to 60 in any other direc-
ton we would be killed. We followed
them on foot for or hours until we came
to town where we were introduced INTO
brick building that appeared to be the pris-
on of the town. They then locked us all
up in a small cell and kepta a vigiant watch
over lis the whole of the night. In the
morning we were blndfolded and led to
the house of the governor, where we were
questioned and examined, and asked if we
were Englishmen, after which they led us
again to our prison. Not day passed
without our being examined and questioned
regarding our country, religion and every
other particular that could be thought Of
They made themselves understood to us by
sight and principally by drawing on paper,
at which they were very expert. In this
prison we continued for about eleven
months, and not once did we set single
foot out of it during that time. Every day
we had an allowance of rice, fish and wa
ter, and once they gave us a sort of liquor
called sake. We drank it, and it naturally
revived us and made us feel little more
cheerful they then again examined us and
took down our depositions in writing, think
ing perhaps that under the influence Of the
liquor we would give them whatever in
formation we had before endeavored to sup
press. About this time all the men, to-
gether with myself, fell sick, and what with
this, the miserable situation we were in,
and the bad treatment we met with from
our guards, who frequently struck us and
insulted us in every possible way they
could, we gave up all hopes of ever getting
out of our prisons alive.
We got better however, and were inform
ed that we had to 60 on to Jeddo, where
the Emperor lived. They put us on board
of Junk and slowed us all in the hold-a
dark, filthy place, and during the time we
were in her, some or months, not a
single moment were allowed to step or
!, deck, to breathe the fresh air, or see the
light. One day we were made to wash
ourselves, and clean clothes were given u:
s. we We're conducted into the cabin which
,, was beautifully fitted up with silk and gold
,, ornaments, they then gave us each carpet
to sit upon, and made us understand thai
we had arrived at a city called Mateama
where the Emperor's son lived and that he
, was coming on board to see us. By ant
. by we heard great stir out side, and al
the people about us fell on their faces to tht
= ground and we were made to do the same
: Shortly after the prince entered the cabiI
accompanied by a numerous suit. W.
u were then again examined before him, ant
G this time the questions were put to us by
e japanese who spoke Dutch and who com
r municated with us through one of our men
: Murphy Wells, who also spoke a littl,
e Dutch. This lasted for about an hour, al
d ter which the prince departed and in tn
e evening we received box of sweatmeat
II which they said was from him. He was
g young man of handsome appearance, an
: on the whole seemed kindly disposed tow
n ards us. The next day we continued o
s. our voyage, and were again left to the mel
n cy of our ailors. We then arrived at anotl
e er city when we were each put into bo
"a the lid of which was fastened down upo
ID us, and in this way we were carried to tn
town-hall
Oh Here we underwent another examination
N the questions being put to us by the same il
IL terpeter who acted in that capacity at Ma
le samai. Their chief object in this as in a
he the examination we went through was
ne find out whether we Were not really En-,
le lishmen-and am of opinion that had "
er confessed ourselves of that nation, we wou
ed all have been killed. The interpreter to
p us to beware how we tried to mislead the
an as they would find out who were when Vi
OF got to Nagaskie. They then brought be
en- from which they took out a print of IL
ne crucifxion, and told us to put our feet upc
US it-on our hesitating to do SO, the guar
ed drew out their swords and threatened
nd kill us, and so compelled every one Of
- to trample on the print, and spit upon it,
Nv A couple of epauletts was then shown
IA us, one an English naval officers and O
ed an American, and were asked which
them belonged to our country. After Il
oat were again conducted to prison. One d
me we were again summoned to the town hs