azes, as he
surveyed it with a look of contempt.

"Don't be too sure of that," answered Tom; "there are some pretty heavy
guns inside those forts, and the Japanese know how to handle them too."

Still the guns did not open fire, and in a short time a boat was seen
putting off from the shore. She contained a party of two-sworded
officials, who came on board the flag-ship, where Captain Murray and
Archie happened at the time to be. Archie afterwards related all he saw
and heard.

One of the principal of the two-sworded gentlemen inquired, with an air
of surprise, "why the ships of war had come uninvited to the town?"
adding that he concluded the ships had brought a letter from the British
Government on some subject or other.

"You are perfectly correct there," was the answer. "It is a letter,
insisting that all the demands which have been made should be complied
with within twenty-four hours, if not, you see the guns which our ships
carry; we have shells and rockets and other missiles of warfare, and we
shall be compelled to let them fly pretty thickly about your ears."

"But the prince is fifty miles off, and it is impossible to get an
answer within the time specified."

"Then we will make the time thirty hours. Your posts can perform the
distance in that time, and take care that they do not dally on the way."

The Japanese chief official smiled blandly, and then said that it would
facilitate matters if the admiral and the _charge d'affaires_ would come
on shore to discuss the matter in an amicable manner within the city,
where a palace had been prepared for their reception.

"The Japanese must think us very green if they suppose us to be caught
in that fashion," remarked one of the officers standing by, when he
heard the interpreter give the invitation.

The Japanese official pressed the offer in the most bland and courteous
manner, pointing out the great advantage which would be gained by more
quickly bringing affairs to a conclusion.

The admiral, however, was not to be caught, and he had good reason to
congratulate himself that he did not accept it, when it was reported
that the Japanese intended as soon as he and the envoy had got inside
the castle to lift the drawbridges and to send word on board the
squadron that should a shot be fired the prisoners would be instantly
beheaded.

The interview at length came to a conclusion, and the two-sworded
officials took their departure for the shore. Within