much more lively than they had hitherto done, being full of people
returning from rides, drives, and excursions into the country. As a
rule, directly after dark not a creature is to be seen about the
streets, for every one disappears in the most mysterious manner.

We went on board, and sat in the calm moonlight, thinking and talking
over the events of the year, whose end was so swiftly approaching, and
wondering what its successor may have in store for us. So ends, with
all its joys and sorrows, its pleasures and pains, its hopes and
fears, for us, the now old year, 1876.




CHAPTER XVII.


HONOLULU--DEPARTURE FOR JAPAN.

_Years following years, steal something every day;_
_At last they steal us from ourselves away._


_Monday, January 1st, 1877_.--At midnight we were awakened by our
ship's bell, and that of the 'Fantôme,' being struck violently sixteen
times. For the moment I could not imagine what it meant, and thought
it must be an alarm of fire; indeed, it was not until Tom and I
reached the deck, where we found nearly all the ship's company
assembled at the top of the companion, and were greeted with wishes
for 'A happy New Year, and many of them,' that we quite realised that