Mark and I were returning home from our first train ride ever to go into North Fork.  Mark was excited about our trip.  He couldn't figure out how I could have slept most of the way.  He didn't want me to miss anything.  He felt there was plenty of time later to sleep.  We made a stop at Marinette, the stage junction, and then another hour until we'd get home.  I would bet half the town would be there to meet the first train to North Fork.      

I was watching the people getting on and off the train when I heard someone say....."Excuse please, you occupy four seats?"  There stood two Japanese men.  They wanted the seats next to Mark and I.  I apologized and then took the seat next to Mark.  Before long we were on our way.  I thought since we would be traveling together I would introduce Mark and myself to them.  The one man introduced himself as Soto and then he introduced his master Hikaru Yamanaka.....Imperial Lord.....fifth warrior of the Samurai.....sixteenth cousin in the family of his Imperial Highness..... Emperor Japan.  "Most pleased to make you acquaintance honorable.....McCain," said Hikaru Yamanaka. 

Hikaru was quite impressed with my rifle.  He noticed how the ring was fashioned for great speed, swiftness.  Hikaru Yamanaka congratulated me on having a weapon only a foolish man would face.  He said he came to America to learn the way of the western people and take that knowledge back to his homeland.  He said my rifle was nothing like the sword of Samurai.  Mark asked what that was.  Soto opened a long box he was holding.  It was a beautiful Samurai sword.  You should have seen the look on Mark's face and how far his mouth had dropped when he saw the sword.  Makes me wonder how I reacted when I saw the sword.  Mark wanted Soto to take the weapon out but Hikaru Yamanaka said they could not, the sword was used to kill, nothing else.   

It sure looked like the whole town came out to see the first train arrive in North Fork.  This was a great day for North Fork.  I told the two men that it was nice meeting them and to have a nice trip.  Hikaru asked me to wait.  He wanted to know if it was possible for them to stay in North Fork to study.....to visit.....and to see more.....what better time then now.  I told them that we would be mighty glad to have them visit here in North Fork.  Lou & Micah were waiting for us.  Micah asked how the trip went and if I got all the cattle sold.  I told him we had a nice trip and we got a good price for the cattle.  Lou was excited; she had been waiting for this for some time.  As I started to introduce Lou & Micah to Mr. Yamanaka, I wasn't quite sure how to introduce them, Soto took over....."Imperial Lord.....fifth warrior of the Samurai.....sixteenth cousin....."  Mr. Yamanaka interrupted Soto.  He said we could call him Hikaru and he was honored to make our acquaintance.  I told them that Lou owned the hotel and asked her if she could accommodate them.  She told them she was sure she could and we all headed for the hotel. 

       Two drunks, Gus Torpin and Vic Adler were standing on the porch of the hotel when Gus, tripped Soto.  He said he was sorry, his boots were a little too big. 
"Pick it up!"  I said. Torpin looked at me and asked what I had said.  "I said pick it up!"  Soto, tried to smooth things over and said he was careless.  Micah told him he better change those boots.  "Anything you say Marshal," laughed Torpin.  "Lucas.....Micah.....come on," said Lou as she headed into the hotel.  Gus and Vic just stood there drinking and laughing.

Mark was hungry so we decided to eat early.  I saw Mr. Hikaru and Soto enter the dining room of the hotel and asked them if they would like to join us for dinner.  They accepted our invitation.  Gus and Vic was at the bar in the dinning room laughing and making fun of Soto seating Hikaru.  Hikaru knew it bothered me and said that if we were in Japan our customs would seem strange to them also.  I offered Soto a seat, but he declined, he said it wasn't proper for a servant to food with his master.  Lou came into the dining room and asked if there was anything special that she could prepare for them.  Hikaru asked what Lou would suggest.  She recommended the mulligan stew.  Soto explained to Hikaru what mulligan stew was.  Hikaru found it funny that they came to America and was now going to eat food from Ireland.  Hikaru ordered the stew and asked Lou to join us.  She thanked him, but said she had some things to tend to.  Hikaru offered us a drink of rice wine, sake.  He sent Soto for a bottle of the wine.  He explained that Sake to Japan is what the American west called red eye.  "Oh I don't guess I better not be havin' any of that," said Mark.  "No.....I don't guess you better!" I said to Mark.  While we were waiting for Soto to return from getting the rice wine, Hikaru and Mark started up a conversation.

  Gus and Vic decided to leave, but as they got into the lobby they saw Soto coming down the stairs.  They asked him what he had and then Gus grabbed the wine from Soto and started drinking it.  He then started for the dinning room.  I had just stepped into the lobby area with Hikaru when I saw what was going on.  I told Gus that his fun was over and to turn Soto loose.  I told him to get out of the hotel when Hikaru stopped me.  He told Gus he was fortunate that his servant respected the presence of his master and not strike back and that it would be embarrassing for him.  Gus thought he was joking.  Hikaru told him he had caused his servant to loose face and that also went for the master as well.  Hikaru wanted to restore honor, he demanded satisfaction.  They asked Hikaru if they wanted to take them on.  Vic laughed and asked if they wanted to do this with guns or their hands tied behind their backs.  Hikaru said they could use either, he was a Samurai warrior, he would use a Samurai Sword.  Hikaru apologized for leaving without having dinner, but they needed to prepare for their fight.  They had no clue what they were in for.          

 I went up to Hikaru's room to try and talk to him and to tell him his swords was no match for Gus and Vic's guns.  He was meditating and would not acknowledge me being there.  Soto convinced me that I should not interrupt Hikaru. 

I left the hotel and went to tell Micah what had happened.  As we entered the Saloon, Gus and Vic were telling everyone about what had happened at Lou's, laughing about it.  Micah told them he wanted them out of town now and they weren't allowed back in North Fork until he said so.  Vic asked when that would be.....when the fellows at the hotel had left. Gus told everyone that the two Japanese must have gotten the Marshal & I to protect them because they were scared. 

As we walked out of the saloon and into the street there stood Hikaru and Soto in their ceremonial clothes.  Hikaru started at them with the sword and as Gus and Vic quickly moved, Hikaru cut the hitching post in half.  "One of us must die," said Hikaru.  I had to do some fast talking here.  "Must regain honor," said Hikaru. 
"Why don't you regain it the way you lost it?" I asked.  I said that Hikaru didn't have a gun and Gus and Vic didn't have a sword, why not put the weapons down and just fight it out.  Gus and Vic relished the idea, they were sure they would beat Hikaru and Soto.  All was agreeable.  Soto removed his robe and underneath it was a judo outfit.  Hikaru and Soto threw them over their shoulders several times and when it looked like they had the best of Gus and Vic, Gus picked up a barrel and threw it at them.  He then got a large stick and was getting ready to use it when I triggered my rifle.  Hikaru had no problem with the weapon and left me know it, so I left them continue to fight.  Hikaru and Soto had no problem defeating Gus and Vic.  Gus and Vic was not aware of jujitsu and how over powering it could be, they lost and learned a valuable lesson.

 Mark and I invited Hikaru and Soto out to the ranch.  Soto and Mark played a game of checkers.  Soto beat Mark.  He told Mark that he played an excellent game and he didn't think he could beat him again.  Mark was impressed; he told Soto that he was the best checker player ever seen in North Fork.  Hikaru told us that Soto was too modest to tell us that at imperial palace he was the checker champion.  You should have seen the look on Mark's face.  "Mr. McCain.....you and your son have been very kind to us. We are two strangers from a foreign land and yet you have been our friends. You have invited us into your home." said Hikaru.  Soto then took a box out of his pocket and as he opened it he said....."When honorable Hikaru was little boy.....his illustrious father gave him this.....(a Buddha pendant) it is to remind him that even when family is not together.....they carry each other in their heart. It's for you from Imperial one," as Soto handed the pendant to Mark.  Mark was speechless and surprised by this great gift.  "Thank you Mr. Hikaru, Mr. Soto, I sure will never forget you," said Mark.  With approval from both of us Soto and Mark went outside so Soto could give Mark some jujitsu lessons.  Hikaru and I sat down at the table.  "Your son has great respect for you Mr. McCain, something Hikaru missed as a boy."  "Hikaru's father a very wonderful man. But very busy at Imperial Palace. Home not warm.....simple like this," said Hikaru as he looked around.  I asked him if he would be going home soon.  He said he had planned to go to South America when he left here, but had changed his mind and was going home instead.  He said that this time of year his father goes to their summer home for time of meditation and he had decided to join his father there.  "It will give him great pleasure, said Hikaru.  "It will give me great pleasure too," said Hikaru.