His neighbors at the table were Helen and Takishima, and the atmosphere was electric with good fellowship. No cloud marred the clear sky of understanding.
After the dinner there was a small party collected at the embassy to bid farewell to the ambassador and his daughter, and to them the midshipmen told the full story of the cruise of the “Sylvia.”
“It wasn’t until the Japanese fleet had arrived in Singapore and reported no trace of the Chinese squadron that we were sure that you had been successful,” Captain Rodgers explained after Phil had recounted the adventure.
“And then in five days more, and meanwhile nothing had been heard from the ‘phantom fleet,’ as it was called in the American newspapers,” he continued, “we heard that the Japanese fleet had returned to Japan.”
“Then the Minister of Marine came to me,” the ambassador took up the thread of the story where Captain Rodgers had left off, “and asked if Captain Rodgers and I still desired the audience with the Emperor.
“I assured him above all things it was desired, and the next day the audience was an accomplished fact and the new treaty the outcome.”
The ambassador beamed down upon the attentive midshipmen.
“It’s a great pity our government will not allow our officials to accept foreign orders,” he added. “I am sure if it did, the ‘Alaska’ would sail away from Japan loaded down with them.”
O’Neil and Bill Marley had returned to the armored cruiser but had been allowed to return to Tokyo to attend a dinner given to O’Neil by his old friend “Billy” Williams. The crowds that gathered about the little restaurant to catch a glimpse of the two noted sailors was one of the biggest advertisements “Billy” Williams ever had.
But all things must have an end, and the happy party at the ambassador’s could be no exception. Good-byes were said and the carriages were waiting.