On the 9th March the French and American Ministers embarked. The French Minister having demanded that the officer and missing men should be given up, whether dead or alive, in twenty-four hours, their bodies were taken alongside the _Adventure_ in a Japanese boat, which was at once towed to the _Dupleix_. On the 10th Sir Harry Parkes embarked on board the _Ocean_, all the Foreign Ministers being then afloat. The funeral of the French midshipman and the ten seamen who were killed by the Japanese took place at the cemetery at Hiogo: all the usual honours being paid by the officers and ships-of-war present. A newspaper report goes on to state that the French Minister, Captain, and officers grasped each other’s hands over the graves, and called on the Almighty to witness the vows they then made not to rest satisfied until they had avenged the blood of their murdered countrymen. The French Minister then took into consideration the ultimate demands he intended to make, which he would submit to the other Foreign Ministers before presenting them to the Mikado’s Government. These demands are not likely to be either mild or pleasant to the young Mikado’s newly formed Government, and, considering Monsieur Roches’ interest in the Tycoon, and proportionate aversion to his opponents, unless mitigated and smoothed down by Sir Harry Parkes, the ultimatum will, I think, be very embarrassing, and who can see the end of it or the Civil War either. A raw is established, and will be worked. [Sidenote: _Written on board_ Rodney, _March 29, off Breaker Point_, en route _to Yokohama_.] In the meantime, preparations on the part of the Mikado’s Government still continue for an advance on Yedo, and likewise on the part of the Tycoon to resist. Then, again, neither Chiefs appear to have much control over the two-sworded ruffians, their followers. An attack by both sets united on the foreign settlements at Yokohama would show little less judgment or recklessness of consequences than the insane attack on the foreigners at Corvé, or the French boat’s crew at Sakai. CHAPTER XCII THE CHINA COMMAND [Sidenote: 1868. Flag in _Rodney_, Yokohama, Apr. 6.] _Rattler_, Commander John Swan, arrived, a good fellow, but subject to fits. Obliged to send him to hospital. Prussian frigate, saluted under her new flag. [Sidenote: Apr. 25.] Poor Swan departed this life. [Sidenote: Apr. 26.] Appointed Harry Stephenson to command _Rattler_ and Keppel Garnier to be Flag-Lieutenant. [Sidenote: May 9.] Proceeded down the bay, _Rattler_ in company. [Sidenote: May 17.] Came to in Corvé Bay. [Sidenote: May 18.]