Chapter 4 Summary

As Manjiro spends time onboard the ship, he starts to learn the language and the names for various items on the ship. Manjiro and Goemon keep pondering why a man stands up on the mast night and day, and what the sailors do with such huge pots on the decks of the ship. Goemon's theory is that they are looking for Japanese boys to cook in the pots.

When Captain Whitfield tells Manjiro he can ask all the questions he wants, Manjiro is so happy that he climbs into one of the smaller boats on the ship to celebrate in solitude. The man standing up on the mast spots something, however, and they lower the small boats into the water. When the sailors discover Manjiro is in the boat, the captain orders him to stay.

Manjiro quickly sees what the sailors have been...