Chapters 38 and 39 Summary

By the fall of 1851, Manjiro and the others have been in prison for a few seasons. Manjiro uses the time to learn how to read and write in Japanese. They have all gone through intense interrogations about America. One day, the daimyo, one of the most powerful men in the country, summons Manjiro.

Lord Nariakira asks Manjiro numerous questions. He wants to know about the American inventions. Nariakira also wants a lot of information on America's guns, weapons and plans for war. While Manjiro supplies Nariakira with all of this information, he also assures Nariakira that America doesn't want to attack Japan. They simply want a port where their ships can resupply. From this prison, Manjiro and the others are moved to another prison in Nagasaki.

The prisoners there say it is usually a formality prior to release. This prison is...