Other wavering Princes declared for the Mikado, in whose name Satsuma, Tosa, Chion, and other Daimios carried on the war against the Tycoon. Among them the Prince of Bozin came up from the westward; his line of march lay through Hiogo, and skirted the territory which had been allotted and already taken possession of by the foreigners. Prince Bozin’s advanced guard had gone on, and when his main body came up and were abreast of the Foreign Settlement, the not uncommon order for all to prostrate themselves was given. Two French seamen who were on the road attempted to cross the line of troops and were charged with spears. In the confusion the officer in command of Bozin’s troops gave the order to fire, an order which was immediately obeyed; but, as in all probability it was the first time the Japs had ever to fire in earnest, no great damage was done, but the alarm was sounded: the Minister’s guard of fifty men belonging to the 9th Regiment turned out, marines and seamen from our man-of-war (_Ocean_) hurried on shore. Just as the disturbance commenced, Sir Harry Parkes, with Captain Stanhope, was returning from a walk, attended by two dismounted men of the Body Guard. They made for the Consulate across the open space which had been cleared for the Foreign Settlement, and afforded capital pot-shots for the excited Japs, who for a few minutes had it all their own way; but by the end of that time the 9th were advancing, and in a few minutes afterwards Parkes was out at the head of his troopers, and the Japs, in full retreat, throwing away all extra weight, dispersed towards the hills with the agility of monkeys. Parkes came up with, and captured, three brass guns. Two French and one American had been wounded. Nothing could have happened worse or more inopportunely for the disaffected chiefs, whose last wish it was to offend the foreigners, while we (the foreigners) made a very grave affair of the whole business, demanding ample apologies from the Mikado himself, and nothing short of the execution of the officer who had given the order. All this was conceded, and eventually carried out. * * * * * Mr. Mitford of the Legation, whose duty it was to attend the ceremony of Hara-Kari, sent me a description of it, which is inserted later. * * * * * [Sidenote: Feb. 22.] Complimented Americans by firing Royal Salute, anniversary of General Washington’s birth. Flag in _Rodney_. [Sidenote: Mar. 12.] _Tamar_ arrived with 10th Regiment for Yokohama. [Sidenote: Mar. 18.] French frigate _La Place_ arrived with Admiral Ohier. [Sidenote: Mar. 21.] United States S.S. _Hartford_, Commodore Gouldisborough, sailed; cheered him on quitting the station. [Sidenote: Mar. 25.] Weighed under plain sail and ran through the Lyemoon Pass. CHAPTER XCI HARI-KARI [Sidenote: 1868. March.]