The National tribune., 1891-12-03

as the central line making little side trips to
interesting points.
Behind a fine team Of horses the 40 miles TO
OdaWara on the smooth hard almost level
road was easily completed between a. m. and
p. M, especially as the wagon was light and the
load lighter; for, having good knowledge Of
the country aud its possibilities, we had bur-
denod ousolyes with nothing but money. Our
Journey opened fay0rably. With a clear sky,
q brisk sea breeze, aud two horses that wanted
% run all the way, we alightCd at the tea-house
in OdREaIa feeling not the least tired.
The jolly old landlord at once recognized me,
and remembering former e5capade OF mine,
when ] slipped of without passport aud was
gone two days, Immediately demanded our
papers aud seemed pleased that j had them
Rll right. lie had bcch fined for my last fun,
and although i bad squared the money loss, he
could not afford 10 be caught again. We took a
substantial dinner aud then decided TO wait the
cool OF the evening 10 push on up a mountain
road as Tar as Meyonoshta about seven miles
where were natural hot springs Of both iron
and sulphur, aud where the tea-house was
better than 90 a large town like Odawara.
The main road runs here nearly south, and
mounting tho steep Hakoni range by steps
passes through the village Of Hadoni on the
east cnd Of Tie lake Of the same name, and then
down The south slope also by steps $500 feet
iu less than an hour 10 the city of Numatsu
on the sea coast at the head Of Iomoda Bay.
by going 10 Meyouoshita and thcn 10 the top
OF the HHk0ui range 40 O'tOmi, i proposed 10
show my friend the very
FINEST VIEW or FUJI;
then 10 go down to the lake, and reach Hakoni
villHge by boat. As we sIroled out through
tile town we purchased half a dozen candles
and a couple Of large paper lanterns These
were on the end Of sticks so that we could
swing them in front aud see tic road.
As We walked along we were everywhere
greeted by evening salutatiOus aud inquiries as
20 where we were going and finally were
Joined ly q jolly party Of SIX japanese, who,
finding company, determined 20 go up with Us
that evening instead OF waiting until morning.
The party consisted Of a district judge, his
WIFE, two SONS, a daughter aud q servant.
They We're bound 10 the sulphur baths at Ashi-
nova which lies on the road from McyOn0shita
60 Hak0ni, point g 600 feet above sea level,
RhGr tie crater OF au extinct volcano still &C
cas.Onaliy b0ils out with steam, lava, and hot
water.
Delaying Tor a few moments Tor their pro-
partitions we al started oil, aud for the fret
mile followed the level road, walking IN
group. But after that The mountain path ne
ccssitatcd au lndian-iile formation. As we
climbed The rugged path the CHEEKY murmur Of
voice. and thc ire-ly aspect Of the lanterns
was SO cBlIvculug that the difficulties Of the
road were forgotten, aud each seemed 10 vie
with the Others 10 make the occasion more Jolly
by songs, jokes aud light badiBage The
good Old judge, stout aud short oil wind, Jagged
Tar behind, causing much fear in the gentle
breast Of DIS WIFE aud giving the younger
members plenty Of time 20 rest, and my friend
boz the deep shadows which cugulied rs q fine
opportunity 10 hirt 10 his heart content with
the pretty and not the least coy daughter The
poor mother divided between waiting for Der
husband aud trying 10 watch her daughter, did
not ENJOY the evenings walk.
From the sons ] learned that they lived at a
village near Yokohama, where i had friends,