Punctual to the moment, the motor was in attendance at the hotel and, the customary presents having been exchanged between the staff and the departing guests, the pilgrim had the novel experience of leaving a hotel otherwise than by passing through an avenue of palms - open and extended.
The car proved to be a seven-seater “E. M. E.” 30., the speedometer recording a distance of 6,509 miles travelled since its installation or last resetting. It had evidently seen good and hard wear but was fit for service and the upholstery was comfortable. The fare to Ainomura, it may be added, is one Yen for each passenger and this sum including a reasonable amount of luggage.
The (Goodrich) tires were in prime condition, although the much-advertised “safety tread” had all been worn away. For such a route and roadbed, it was gathered, nothing but really first-class tires will stand the hard wear and the calls demanded of them, hence the chaffeur was a staunch upholder of the “Goodrich” productions.
Eight persons, including the chaffeur, somehow managed to stow themselves in the car for the forthcoming joy-ride. One could perhaps imagine the feelings and reflections of a sardine, while being tucked away in its little tin. The baggage being hoisted on board safely lashed outside, with a toot on the asthmatic horn, the car started off at a good clip which was increased to about 25 miles an hour on clearing the town.
The level stretch, however, did not last long and soon after passing the bathing beach where many visitors were observed, splashing around in the surf, or enjoying a sun-bath on the strand; the level road was left and the ascent of the mountain began.
The local population met with en route appear to be “well broke” to motor cars, children, chickens, horses and other domestic animals similarly so. With bullocks, however, which are led by a nose ring, greater precautions have to be adopted and they are usually led to the side of the road and held, stern on to the car, until the latter has safely passed.
The down hill trip was particularly exhilarating, some portions being of the “free wheel” description seemingly, implying the provision of good and efficient brakes.
Actuated by a desire to interest and entertain the passengers, a gentleman pointed out a particularly hair-lifting curve, which skirted a drop of a few hundred feet and informed us that some time previously at this spot a car took the descente rapide and brought up among the pines down below.
As we were rapidly approaching the fatal spot, the Pilgrim enquired if this taking the short cut was a regular thing, or only an occasional thrill for the amusement of the passengers, if the former, would he kindly tell the driver to stop as the physician had prescribed walking as a healthy occupation as in the present instance. Profuse explanations followed, showing that this tipping up stunt is strictly an “extra” and not included in the one Yen outlay.
From Ainomura to Isahaya, the junction with the main line, one travels by a small local railway whose locomotives, built by Messrs. Sharp, Stewart & Coy., at the Atlas Works in 1871, like Charlie's Aunt, are still running.
In a previous contribution it was stated that, probably as a precautionary measure, the trains slowed down while passing through the long tunnel which is met soon after leaving Isahaya on the way to Nagasaki. A more careful observation, however, proves this assumption to be erroneous, it being the steep gradient, entailing a heavier drag on the locomotive, that is responsible for the apparent slowing down. To qualify this amende, it may be stated that the impression is further intensified that travelling upon the Imperial Japanese Railways would be rendered much more agreeable with a substitution of anthracite for the abominable soft coal at present in use.
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