Los Angeles herald., 1906-01-21

| lS5azSsEJ ings, which was now his only repose,
when there was a sound Of disorder in
the great incosure without the fortress. The
challenging of sentnels, the rattle of arms, the
galop of a considerable body of horse, came to
him plainly within the palace interior.
Hastily Keiki passed through the castle apart
mcnts to parapet high above the area of The
inclosure. Leaning against cannon, he sought
among the shadows for the cause Of the dis
turbance. If he had any fears as to the state
of his defenses, appeared in his face, now
grown impassive almost to the point Of apathy.
| Gradually, as his eyes became accustomed to
the semi-darkness of the Enclosure, he saw that
his followers were receiving accession of fresh
troops, many of whom were mounted. Quar-
ters for the rest of the night were being made
ready for the newcomers. Plainly, it was the
arrival of some of the long-expected clans.
With the knowledge that a report would be
made presently, for such his standing order
by day or by night, Keiki returned to his apart
ments, seeking after few further preparations,
the chamber in which he was accustomed to re-
ceive guests.
Soon n number of his people, among them
Toro and the boy Jiro, ushered in his cousin, the
cadet Lord of Nagato. Scarcely had he an
nounced the number and strength of the clans
he had gathered about him, when he burst out:
"Strange news, your highness!"
"Speak," said Keiki, briefly.
''With these eyes have I seen it, III augurs it
for our land and cause"
"Speak," said Keilzi, impatiently
''NIy lord, have just come from Yedo, with
er I went alone in disguise, joining my
only yester MORN"
"My lord said the impatient Keiki, "pray
remember that the hour is late. All things wait
upon your utterance. Tell me in breath what
is your news. What did you see in Yedo"
Foreign ships of sailing up the harbor."
"What was their purpose"
"They demand the opening of our ports, closed
for two hundred years, to the trade of the
world.
Keiki reflected.
at is evil-ths complication with foreign peo-
pies at this time" he said. "But proceed, my
lord"
The other continued:
-Four foreign ships of war are now in Yedo
Bay They are American. They are in much
doubt as to who is the ruler of the country. The
Shotgun Iyesada has assured them that he reigns
supreme. Treaties are now being negotiated.
The Shotgun has taken it upon himself to change
the policy of our country without reference to
the Son of Heaven" (the Mikado).
"This is treason" cried Keik Eve must
march against the Shotgun at once"
|
''Nay my lord, permit an Insignificant vassal
to suggest that our country must present at this
critical juncture an undivided front against the
foreigner. 1t may be that the Shotgun in his
weakness before the foreigner but temporzes in
his presence The foreigner must be expelled,
and, after that, the Shotgun dealt with"
! ''You are right, my lord. l congratulate you
upon your wisdom and foresight, and beg that
Won will now retire to rest.
"Niay / inquire whether you purpose taking
anv action, your highness?" inquired Nagato.
.'I am decided" said Keiki. "In the morning
shall set out for Yedo, whatever the peril.
must make observations
Long after the others had retired, Keiki tried
to review clearly the train of events that had
| led mn to this occurrence. He must decide upon
his course. In spite of the European knowledge
transferred to him by the Lord of Satsuma, the
very term foreigner" sent vague thrill of un-
known terror 10 his soul He had been told of
their arms and other methods of warfare; many
of their secrets were his. He had, if not their
armaments at least fair imitations-gunpowder
cannon and rifles. Yet in spite of all this, an
emotion that was not fear, not cowardice, made
its way subty to his heart. These foreigners
stood for strange civilization which, despite
his vaguely derived knowledge, might yet in
elude greater destructive agencies.
Then who could clearly see beyond their di
plomacy? They might come simply as they said
to demand open ports. But their own history