When I was a child . e all got on board the Peru in half an hourlater. A steward took me to a small steerage com-partment where twelve berths were arranged inthree rows. I had only one small bag, which hepushed underneath the berth. There I found aboutten Japanese emigrants taking the other the sailors seemed very busy, they were runningabout on deck except two night watches, who werejust climbing up the rope stairs from the sea aftertheir swim. The steam whistle was blown ever soloudly. One steward was shouting to the visitorsto clear out the boat. I simply said Shikkei toall my fr
When I was a child . e all got on board the Peru in half an hourlater. A steward took me to a small steerage com-partment where twelve berths were arranged inthree rows. I had only one small bag, which hepushed underneath the berth. There I found aboutten Japanese emigrants taking the other the sailors seemed very busy, they were runningabout on deck except two night watches, who werejust climbing up the rope stairs from the sea aftertheir swim. The steam whistle was blown ever soloudly. One steward was shouting to the visitorsto clear out the boat. I simply said Shikkei toall my friends. No sooner all my friends got intothe small boat than our engine began to work. Thedark blue sea was transformed into white foam bythe propeller. The keel was turned towards ourdestination, and I noticed the hills began to moveslowly. I felt as if I were ascending towards theheaven. My heart cried out, Oh, at last! Myambition at last ! Freedom ! Yes, freedom fromthat unnatural marriage ! I am ready to penetrate. X o u CO FOR AMERICA AT LAST 205 through any hardship of mv life, even if it wereharder than the rock ! But when I looked towards the wharf, I saw all myfriends were just getting on the shore from theboat. They looked smaller than ants. It was myfarewell to them and I drooped my head. Mysentimental heart was struck too much to utter asingle word. CHAPTER XVIII MY EXPERIENCES IN SAN FRANCISCO /^N the early morning of July 15th, 1893, the^^^ Peril arrived at Golden Gate and I was onher board. The word Asiatic steerage is some-thing more than dreadful for me to recollect those Chinese and Japanese labourers werein this class. First few days I could not eat the foodthey gave me. It was something more like the foodsfor dogs or horses. But I was lucky enough to bepetted by those night watchmen. I dont knowwhy they v/ere so kind to me. Perhaps I was theyoungest and neatest. They used to bring me somenice dishes. Dont show that to the steward,they warned me.
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