Meantime I was staring at the boat and the Japanese sailors, neat and tidy fellows, and at the youthful officer keeping guard. My heart leaped. I recognised him as the youth whom I had assisted that evening in Shanghai when the feeling against the Japanese ran high. He recognised me at the same moment, and smiled. I advanced and saluted him; he replied in kind, and we exchanged greetings. It was Tomi!
"May I inquire what your captain intends to do with us?" I asked after a while.
"I cannot say," he replied. "My officer and your captain will doubtless arrange matters."
"We are not at war," I persisted; "we cannot be harmed." I glanced at the English ensign as I was speaking.
His eyes followed mine, and he touched his cap politely, then looked at me. "Will you come on board?" he asked. "I will assist you now, if you like."
"Why? What for?" After a pause, I replied, "No, thank you. I am on duty, of course." But I thought it kind of the middy. He knew the danger.
"Stand back, please; here is my officer," he said quickly. "Be silent."
He at once became distant as the land, and shut up like an oyster. He perhaps was afraid to be seen speaking to me.
The captain and the Japanese lieutenant then appeared. The latter said—
"I will convey your message, sir, I understand that this vessel is under the charter of the Chinese Government to convey troops from Taku to Asan. Is that correct?"