Page:Scented isles and coral gardens- Torres Straits, German New Guinea and the Dutch East Indies, by C.D. Mackellar, 1912.pdf/407

Rh soft; and the beautiful, blue-green of the sea was dotted with white-sailed vessels and fishing boats. But it was both cold and wet when we arrived at Kobe in the evening. We stayed there all night, and left early in the morning. Kobe seems well situated at the foot of a range of hills—one peak having still snow on it. There was at Kobe a rumour of the death of Li Hung Chang, but it was incorrect. This personage was constantly dying and always being dug up again. But I wonder if Chinese ever die?

I had left Shanghai at about midday on a Monday, and on Saturday evening was installed at the Grand Hotel in Yokohama, which town at first view presents no interesting features. But that day I had my first view of the world-famous Fujiyama, or “Fuji,” as every one calls it, and its fame is well deserved.

As we approached Yokohama Pier I heard two fellow-passengers, old Jews, talking. One pointed out a female figure on the distant pier, and said, “There is my wife.”

“Oh no,” said the other, “that is not your wife; it is mine.”

They argued, each persisting he recognised his wife, so I interfered.

“I have heard a great deal about marriages in Japan,” I said, “but if men cannot recognise their own wives, things must really be very odd. Suppose I take the lady, and that will settle it!”

They rolled about with laughter at this suggestion, declaring I might have her! But on reaching the pier I changed my mind, and generously gave her up to her real owner.

Captain Heinrich and Lieutenant Dzjobek were my frequent companions in Yokohama, and they introduced me to other German officers. One of these latter, Lieutenant Kw from Kiaochou,