"No doubt. The mountain is generally on the verge of being shaken by earthquakes, but it is some time since one occurred. It's a grewsome place enough."
"We will search it thoroughly just the same," said Nattie, grimly.
On reaching Yowara, they found the recreant detective at the station. He had recently returned from a trip through the surrounding country, but had not discovered any trace of the Irishman. He appeared crestfallen and penitent.
The boys wasted little time with him. Proceeding to the village hotel, or tea house, they sent out messengers for three jinrikishas and in the course of an hour were ready to start into the interior.
The spare vehicle was loaded with canned food and other stores, as the railroad town would be the last place where such articles could be purchased. Each had brought a brace of good revolvers and plenty of ammunition from Yokohama.
Mori personally selected the karumayas, or 'rikisha men, from a crowd of applicants. He chose three stalwart coolies to pull the carriages, and three bettos, or porters, to assist on mountainous roads. One of the latter was a veritable giant in stature and evidently of great strength.
He was called Sumo, or wrestler, by his companions, and seemed to possess greater intelligence than the average members of his class. Mori eyed him approvingly, and told Nattie that he would be of undoubted assistance in case of trouble.
Before leaving the village, the Japanese youth bought a keen-edged sword, similar to those worn by the ancient warriors, or samurais, and presented it to Sumo, with the added stipulation that he would be retained as a guard at increased pay.
The fellow shouted with delight, and speedily showed that he could handle the weapon with some skill. Thus equipped, the party left the railroad and set out for a village called Inawashiro, fifteen ris, or thirty miles distant.