I
walked down the slippery gang-plank, and swam rather than walked
towards the main street. Glancing desperately to right and left I spied
at last a likely shop. I dived into it. The young Japanese woman bade
me take a seat and went off to bring some tea. But I called her back
and explained that I did not want tea but speedy service. She couldn't
understand me. The more I explained the less she saw the point. But at
last someone at the far end of the passage—a European as I now saw—came
hastily forward, all civility and attention.
We
stared at each other for a moment, both quite speechless. It was quite
the most dramatic moment I have ever experienced. The proprietor of
the shop grew frightfully pale and had to hold on to the counter for
support before he could utter the words, "Is it possible?"
"Yes,"
said I, "it is me, all right, Baer, but serve me quickly, for I must be
gone in less than five minutes. The steamer won't wait for me to deal
with you. But don't worry. I'm coming back for you." I bought
something or other, paid him, rushed back down the wet street, and got
aboard just as the gang-plank was about to be drawn up.
I
went down immediately into my stateroom and sat for a long time on my
bunk. I was quite dazed at what had happened. For how many years had I
looked forward to the hour when I should meet that fellow and pay him
back for the wrong he had done me? Everything I had been going to say
and do to him if I ever got the chance now returned to my mind. I had
accomplished none of them. The matter had been taken out of my hands.
For though I did return to Yokohama as I had promised, I took no
revenge. He gave me, on this occasion, soft words; he was humble,
apologetic, full of entreaties that I should not give him away in this
place where he had a good business and a fine reputation. He admitted
freely that he had made his start with the goods of which he had robbed
me, but though he was now a very rich man, he was unwilling to make
full restitution. He talked me over until I agreed to accept a tithe of
what he owed me.
I was glad later that I had had no part in his undoing. God
