CHAPTER XIX
VOTIVE OFFERINGS
By the next day it was considered safe enough to make the trip to Sakusa. It was a tortuous way, and one that required the services of a guide, but a young Japanese, whom Mr. Montell knew, consented to make one of the party. He could speak English, and, being an intelligent, educated gentleman, was much more desirable as an adjunct than the ordinary interpreter. By bamboo forests, and rice-fields, past many a temple and shrine, they trudged, part of their journey being indicated by a stone path difficult to walk upon yet necessarily used. Here they must go single file.
"It is getting rather tiresome," said Jack over her shoulder to Mary Lee who followed closely, these two walking in the footsteps of their guide while the others lagged behind, the two couples separated by a perceptible space.
"We'll get there after a while," returned Mary Lee. "It is all for the cause, remember, Jack."
"I feel precisely as if I were doing penance," Jack answered back.
"Perhaps you are," replied her sister with a little smile.
Jack said no more, but toiled on till at last a small cluster of houses indicated that they were nearing a village.
"Is it Sakusa?" Jack asked Mr. Tamura, their guide.