Tokyo Bay by Anthony Grey Read Free Book Online Page A

onto inlets of rich alluvial land at sea level. Small villages were clustered around these inlets, and crowds of people could be seen rushing towards the beaches to watch the American ships pass. ‘I would help you, Sentaro,’ said Eden at last. ‘I would support your request to Commodore Perry. And my home is near Long Island Sound, where many seafarers live and work. I could help you get a job there, and start a new life.’
‘If you’d take me back to America, I’d do anything for you, master,’ said the castaway in a desperate whisper. Falling on his knees at Eden’s feet, he embraced the officer’s lower legs.
‘Get up, Sentaro,’ said Eden hastily, stooping to pull the Japanese to his feet. ‘And don’t ever do that again! If I help you, it is because you are a friend. Do you understand?’ ‘Yes, master, I understand I’m very sorry Thank you.’
‘We’ll talk more of this later. Meantime, try not to be afraid:
Raising the binoculars, Eden turned his attention back to the coastline, and again studied the passing heights. The uplands above the villages were now dotted with cultivated fields as well as shady woodlands; beyond, a low range of mountains rolled away to merge darkly into the haze and, despite the dangers the squadron faced, Eden found himself searching the distant landscape with a curious sense of dissatisfaction.
‘Why can’t I see Mount Fuji in daylight, Sentaro?’ he asked at last, shaking his head in puzzlement. ‘There doesn’t seem to be any sign of it.’
The castaway plucked at Eden’s sleeve, and motioned upward with his head. ‘You are looking too low, master. You must raise your eyes higher to find Fuji-san.’
Frowning, Eden lifted his gaze - then drew in his breath sharply. Higher in the sky than seemed possible, the sun was bathing the volcano’s white peak with light. As on the previous night, the mountain seemed at first sight to be defying gravity and floating free in the middle heavens. But on peering more closely he realized that low clouds were totally obscuring its broad base. So powerful was the impact of this vision on Eden that for a minute or two he could only stare in silence. Then he closed his eyes and the images of his dream flooded back into his mind. Before he opened them again he wondered whether he might have imagined the extraordinary sight. But, to his relief, when he looked the summit was still visible, soaring with majestic grace into the morning sky. Even as he watched, its peak brightened and gleamed whiter through the thinning haze and the surrounding air deepened to a softer blue. Infinitely moved by this sight, Robert Eden felt a fierce new ambition spring to life inside him.
‘Sentaro, do people ever climb your sacred mounta in ?’ he asked softly, turning to face the castaway. ‘Do they climb to the very top?’
‘Yes, master.’ Sentaro nodded eagerly. ‘They call it the Supreme Altar of the Sun. All who respect the ancient gods must climb up to its summit once in their lives. So for hundreds of years pilgrims have come to climb Fuji-san from all parts of Nippon
‘What’s to be found at the summit?’ asked Eden quickly. ‘Is there a temple?’
‘Yes, a temple to a beautiful Shinto goddess. Many pilgrims claim they see her hovering like a cloud above the crater. They go there to pray before her shrine, and to salute the rising sun from the peak.
But that can be dangerous. They say her guardian spirits hide at the precipices - and they may throw down any pilgrim who climbs up there with an impure heart.’
For a moment Eden glanced at the sea, watching the swarms of Japanese boats advancing rapidly from the shore towards the Susquehanna. Then he looked quickly towards Fuji once more. ‘One day, Sentaro, I would like to climb your sacred mountain.’
‘But you can’t, master!’ gasped the castaway in horror.
‘Why not?’
‘No gai-jin has ever climbed Mount Fuji. Even the women of Nippon are forbidden to set foot on our sacred