Edward Sylvester Ellis 
Adrift on the Pacific A Boys [sic] Story of the Sea and its Perils 

A few hours before the sailing of the steamer Polynesia, from San Francisco to Japan, and while Captain Strathmore stood on deck watching the bustle and hurry, he was approached by a nervous, well-dressed gentleman, who was leading a little girl by the hand. I wish you to take a passenger to Tokio for me, Captain Strathmore, said the stranger.