midnight before
Your life and safety are guaranteed by the word of the captain and the bearing of our crew , who have also been forced to submit to the inevitable . I beg you all to remain here and to await the further orders of the captain . There is no danger so long as no resistance is offered ; we are in the hands of the Japanese navy , and must accustom ourselves to the altered circumstances . '' It was long after midnight before all grew quiet on board the _ Tacoma _ ; the passengers were busy packing their trunks , and it was quite late before the cabin lights were extinguished on both sides of the ship , which continued her voyage quietly and majestically in the direction of Yokohama . The deck , generally a scene of cheerful life and gaiety until a late hour , was empty , and only the subdued steps of the Japanese marines echoed through the still night . Twice more the searchlights were thrown on the _ Tacoma _ , but a clattering answer from the signal lantern at once conveyed the information that all was in order , whereupon the glaring ball of light disappeared silently , and there was nothing on the whole expanse of dark water to indicate that invisible eyes were on the lookout for every ship whose keel was ploughing the deep . The _ Tacoma _ arrived at Yokohama the next morning , the passengers were sent ashore , and the steamer herself was added as an auxiliary cruiser to the Japanese fleet .