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Show people. And" - she chuckled - "no American knows about it." The Major remained quiet a moment, to give the impression that he was thinking. "How far is it?" "By boat, a couple of hours. You have to round a cape." He seemed to pull back. "Wouldn't catch me on the Nissan-maru in the open sea." The boat did not, indeed inspire confidence. An ancient vessel that, rumor said, had traversed Oji Bay during the Russo-Japanese War, its wood was grey and rotting, while the engine displayed its corruption to the eye of the beholder. "We go along the coast; if anything happened we could land." There came a sarcastic snort. "If you could find a place; that shore's all rock." "Major, please --1" And with that, he began to yield, for though he knew that part of command was keeping the subordinates in what someone had called a petitionary posture, he was essentially easy in nature, and a believer in social laisser-faire. And so it was that, just as Mrs Satterwhite walked to the bedroom to get ready, the boat pumped along in full view, carrying most of the Detachment officers and wives, the Japanese ferryman Furukawa and -- the only enlisted man invited -- Master Sergeant William Koontz. The waves sparkled, the incredibly green mountains (one of which had been leveled off as mount for anti-aircraft guns) rose in a steep oriental slant, and smoke from the village homefires rose into the air. As the ferry came abreast of the |