RTriU
iversity
Southern
Library
~0
"It is coming- this way!" yelled Larry. — Page 84.
Solfciers of fortune Series
AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
A YOUNG AMERICAN IN THE
JAPANESE NAVY
EDWARD STRATEMEYER
Author of " Under the Mikado's Flag," " On to Pekin," " Two Young
Lumbermen," " Old Glory Series," " Colonial Series,"
"Pan-American Series," etc.
ILLUSTRATED BY A. B. SHUTE
BOSTON :
LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO.
1930
COPYBIOHT, 1905, BT LoTHKOP, LXE A SHEPABD CoMPAITT
All right* reserved
AT THB FALL or POBT ABTHUB
FRIKTBD IN U.S.A.
Stack
Annex
PREFACE
" AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR " is a complete
tale in itself, but forms the third volume in a line
issued under the general title of " Soldiers of For-
tune Series."
The story relates primarily the adventures of
Larry Russell and his old-time sea chum, Luke
Striker, already well known to the readers of my
" Old Glory Series." Larry and Luke are aboard of
their old ship, the Columbia, bound from Manila to
Nagasaki, with a cargo designed for the Japanese
Government. This is during the war between
Russia and Japan, and when close to the Japanese
coast the schooner is sighted by a Russian warship
and made a prize of war.
As prisoners both Larry and Luke see something
of life in the Russian navy. When close to Vladi-
vostok, the Russian warship falls in with several ships
of the Japanese fleet, and after a thrilling sea-fight
surrenders with her prize. This brings Larry and
Luke before Admiral Togo, and as Larry's brother
Ben, with their mutual friend, Gilbert Pennington,
is already in the Japanese army, Larry enters the
2138469
VI PREFACE
Japanese navy and Luke follows suit. The siege
and bombardment of Port Arthur are at their
height ; and the particulars are given of many battles
both on the sea and on land, leading up to the ulti-
mate surrender of that brave Russian commander,
General Stoessel, and the fall of the city. By this
surrender the Japanese obtained many thousands of
prisoners of war, hundreds of cannon, with large
quantities of ammunition, and several scores of ves-
sels, useful for either fighting purposes or as trans-
ports. Moreover, this victory placed the entire
southern portion of Manchuria under Japanese con-
trol, giving the army untrammeled use of the
railroad running from Port Arthur to Liao-Yang,
a city on the road to Mukden, captured some
time before, as already related in another volume
of this series, entitled " Under the Mikado's
Flag."
As I have mentioned in a previous work, it is as
yet impossible to state what the outcome of this ter-
rific conflict will be. So far victory has perched
largely upon the standard of Japan. The Russian
navy has been practically shattered and its army
fought to a standstill. The cost of the war has been
tremendous to both countries. Countless thousands
of lives have already been sacrificed. Would that
peace were soon at hand !
PREFACE Vli
Again I thank my young friends for their appre-
ciation of my former stories. May the present tale
fulfill every reasonable expectation.
EDWARD STRATEMEYER.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER FAGI
I. LARRY AND His FRIENDS i
II. A STORM ON THE PACIFIC ..,..10
III. LARRY LEARNS SOMETHING 20
IV. THE RUSSIAN SAILOR'S PLOT .... 29
V. SIGNS OF A MUTINY 38
VI. THE FIGHT FOR THE SHIP ..... 47
VII. THE MUTINEERS IN POSSESSION .... 56
VIII. TURNING THE TABLES ... 66
IX. CLOSE TO A WATERSPOUT 76
X. SOMETHING ABOUT WAR AND FIGHTING SHIPS . 86
XI. AN ORDER TO LAY-TO 95
XII. TAKEN AS A PRIZE OF WAR .... 103
XIII. PRISONERS ON THE Pocastra . . . .113
XIV. PROGRESS OF THE WAR 122
XV. A SHARP NAVAL BATTLE . . . • . .132
XVI. ABOARD A JAPANESE WARSHIP .... 140
XVII. THE RETAKING OF THE Columbia , , . 148
XVIII. A CLEVER RUSE 156
XIX. THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE ENEMY . . . 164
XX. LARRY BEFORE ADMIRAL Toco . . . .171
XXI. LETTERS OF INTEREST . . , . , .180
XXII. A MEETING AND A PLOT 189
XXIII. THE ATTACK IN THE DARK . . . .198
XXIV. THE DEFENSE OF THE POWDER TRAW , . 206
XXV. BOMBARDING A PORT ARTHUR FORT . . .315
tit
CONTENTS
CHAPTER
XXVI. BEN MEETS CAPTAIN BARUSKY .
XXVII. A FIERCE BATTLE AT SEA
XXVIII. THE SIEGE OF PORT ARTHUR
XXIX. FROM ONE DIFFICULTY TO ANOTHER
XXX. A SURPRISE FOR LARRY
XXXI. A CALL TO REPEL BOARDERS .
XXXII. FALL OF PORT ARTHUR— CONCLUSION
PAGE
223
232
240
248
258
266
274
AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
AT THE FALL OF PORT
ARTHUR
CHAPTER I
LARRY AND HIS FRIENDS
" UNLESS I miss my guess, Luke, we are going
to have a storm."
" Jest what I was thinking, Larry. And when
it comes I allow as how it will be putty heavy,"
replied Luke Striker, casting an eye to the westward,
where a small dark cloud was beginning to show
above the horizon.
" Well, we can't expect fine weather all the time,"
went on Larry Russell, inspecting the cloud with
equal interest. " We want some wind anyway,"
he added. " We are not making this return trip
to Nagasaki nearly as fast as we made the trip to
Manila."
Luke Striker, a bronzed and weather-beaten
Yankee sailor, rubbed his chin reflectively. " I was
jest thinking o' the day I spied the old Columbia in
Manila harbor," he said, meditatively. " Tell ye,
AT THE FALL OF PORT
ARTHUR
CHAPTER I
LARRY AND HIS FRIENDS
" UNLESS I miss my guess, Luke, we are going
to have a storm."
" Jest what I was thinking, Larry. And when
it comes I allow as how it will be putty heavy,"
replied Luke Striker, casting an eye to the westward,
where a small dark cloud was beginning to show
above the horizon.
" Well, we can't expect fine weather all the time,"
went on Larry Russell, inspecting the cloud with
equal interest. " We want some wind anyway,"
he added. " We are not making this return trip
to Nagasaki nearly as fast as we made the trip to
Manila."
Luke Striker, a bronzed and weather-beaten
Yankee sailor, rubbed his chin reflectively. " I was
jest thinking o' the day I spied the old Columbia in
Manila harbor," he said, meditatively. " Tell ye,
2 AT THE TALL OF PORT ARTHUR
Larry, the sight 'most struck me dumb. ' The
Columbia,' sez I to myself. An' then I thought I
must be a-dreamin'. I wanted to find this ship ag'in
in the worst way."
" The ship certainly seems like a home to me,
Luke — and I reckon she always will seem that way.
I've traveled a good many miles in her, since I first
struck her at Honolulu in the Hawaiian Islands,"
responded Larry Russell.
" Yes — both of us have. But we never took no
trip like this afore — carryin' a cargo for the Japa-
nese Government, with that government at war
with Russia." Luke Striker lowered his voice.
" What's the outlook ? Does the old man reckon to
fall in with a Russian warship afore we can reach
Nagasaki ? "
" Hush, Luke ; you mustn't mention our cargo,"
came from Larry Russell, hastily.
" I ain't mentionin' it to anybody but you."
" Captain Ponsberry is in hopes that we shall not
meet any Russian warships."
"But what if we do?"
" Then we shall have to show our heels as best we
can."
" A sailing vessel can't show much o' a pair o'
heels to a man-o'-war."
" That is true."
LARRY AND HIS FRIENDS 3
" I suppose, if the Columbia was overhauled by a
Russian warship, they'd consider us a prize of war ;
wouldn't they ? " continued the old Yankee sailor.
" They would, unless Captain Ponsberry could
get out of it in some way."
" How do you think he might get out of it? "
" Well, you must remember that our cargo
doesn't belong to the Japanese Government yet.
We are carrying it from Manila to Nagasaki for
the Richmond Importing Company. The Russians
would have to prove their case against us before
they could claim the schooner as a legitimate prize
of war."
" I see. Well, I reckon as how them Russians
would do 'most anything to square accounts with
the Japs. So far, accordin' to my notions, they have
been losin' ground right along in this war."
" Yes, and they'll lose more before the Japs are
through with 'em, Luke. But that storm is coming
up fast," went on Larry Russell, with another ex-
amination of the black cloud. " I'll have to tell the
captain. If we don't shorten sail it may do us some
damage."
With the last-mentioned remark Larry Russell
walked aft, toward the companionway of the Colum-
bia, a staunch three-masted schooner that hailed
from Gloucester. He was second mate of the craft
4 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
and as such it was now his duty to inform Captain
Nat Ponsberry that a storm was approaching.
To those of my young friends who have read
" Under Dewey at Manila " and other volumes of
the " Old Glory Series " Larry Russell needs no in-
troduction. He was one of three brothers, who, left
in the charge of a miserly step-uncle, had thought it
best to go away from home and seek fortune in va-
rious parts of the globe. Larry had drifted to San
Francisco and then to Honolulu, where he had
fallen in with Captain Nat Ponsberry and the Co-
lumbia, as already mentioned. He, with his sailor
friend, Luke Striker, had been cast away, and while
adrift on the Pacific had been picked up by the
Asiatic Squadron under Commodore (afterward
Admiral) Dewey, to serve with honor during the
memorable battle of Manila Bay.
Since those days a great many things had oc-
curred to the Russell boys. Ben, the oldest of the
three, had served as a young volunteer in Cuba dur-
ing the advance on Santiago, and as an officer with
the army in the Philippines, and Walter, the third
brother, had served in the navy in Cuban waters and
elsewhere. In the meantime the miserly step-uncle
had reformed, and now thought " his three boys,"
as he called them, " the best young fellers in all
America, barrin' none ! "
LARRY AND HIS FRIENDS $
Larry Russell was a natural sailor, and when his
term in the navy came to an end he could not bear
to think of giving up the sea. He heard that his old
ship was bound for a trip to Japan and other ports,
and at once communicated with Captain Ponsberry,
with the result that he became second mate of the
schooner, the first mate being, as of old, Tom Gran-
don, a personal friend of Captain Ponsberry.
At this time Walter Russell had gone into busi-
ness, and was doing remarkably well. But Ben was
doing nothing, and Larry persuaded his oldest
brother to come aboard the ship at Manila, for the
trip to Nagasaki and Port Arthur. This was just
at the outbreak of the war between Russia and
Japan, but the brothers at that time knew noth-
ing about the tremendous conflict so close at
hand.
The Columbia was carrying a cargo for the Rich-
mond Importing Company, represented in Japan
and China by Gilbert Pennington, who had served
with Ben Russell in our army in Cuba and the Philip-
pines. From Manila Gilbert had gone to China, to
fight the Boxers, as already described in "On to
Pekin," the first volume of this " Soldiers of Fortune
Series." With the end of the Boxer conflict, Lieu-
tenant Pennington, as he had then become, turned
from war to business, and soon made a number of
D AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
business transactions which were highly gratifying
to the company that he represented.
When the Columbia arrived at Nagasaki, Captain
Ponsberry learned that the war had begun and that
to get to Port Arthur — a Russian stronghold in
Manchuria — was out of the question. While he
was awaiting orders Gilbert Pennington appeared
on the scene. Gilbert had had great difficulties in get-
ting away from Port Arthur, having been suspected
by the Russian officials of being a spy. He wished
to know at once if the ship's cargo was safe.
" As safe as when we left home," had been Cap-
tain Ponsberry 's reply.
" Good ! " answered the young agent, and then he
wished to know if anything had been done about
selling the goods. Captain Ponsberry replied that
he had been ordered to do nothing until he received
word from Gilbert. This suited the young repre-
sentative ; and the upshot of the matter was that the
cargo, instead of going to a Russian port, was sold
to the Japanese Government at a price considerably
above the ordinary market value.
Gilbert Pennington was enthusiastic about joining
the Japanese army for a campaign in Manchuria
and he imparted a large share of this enthusiasm to
Ben Russell. As a result both enlisted and became
captains in a special command, under a Major
LARRY AND HIS FRIENDS 7
Okopa, who could speak very good English. The
part of the army to which they were assigned landed
at Chinampo, in Korea, and in the second volume of
this series, called " Under the Mikado's Flag," I
related the particulars of the crossing of the Yalu
River and of the many skirmishes and battles leading
up to the terrific ten-days' contest before Liao Yang.
During these fights Ben and Gilbert did their full
duty as officers, and when the Russians retreated to
the North both were well content to take a much-
needed rest. But additional struggles were still in
store for them, as will be learned in the pages which
follow.
At first Larry Russell had been inclined to follow
his brother and his friend Gilbert into the Japanese
army. But Captain Ponsberry did not wish to
lose his services as a second mate, and when it was
decided that the Columbia should make a quick run
to Manila and back, for another cargo for the Jap-
anese Government, he made up his mind to stick to
the ship.
The run to Manila from Nagasaki was made
without special incident, and, once at the main sea-
port of the Philippines, Captain Ponsberry lost no
time in getting on board the cargo the Richmond
Importing Company had ready for him. The
cargo was a valuable one and it was calculated that
AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
if rightly sold it would yield the company a profit
of five or six thousand dollars.
" You have got to take care and not run into any
Russian warship," said the agent of the company at
Manila. " If you do you may have a whole lot of
trouble in explaining matters to the Russian com-
mander's satisfaction. I see by the reports that the
Russians have already held up several English and
South American ships."
" I shall keep a sharp lookout for *em," was Cap-
tain Ponsberry's reply.
"And another thing, Captain," went on the
agent, in a lower tone ; " you want to watch your
crew."
" What do you mean? "
" I don't like the looks of two or three of them.
For all you know they may be more than willing
to expose you — if you fall in with the Russians.
Can you trust your first and second mates ? "
" I can ! They are as honest as myself."
" Then caution them to keep an eye on the hands.
One of those fellows looks like a Russian to me —
the chap with the heavy black beard."
" You mean Semmel. He says he is a Pole and
that he hates the Russians."
" Humph ! Well, I saw him talking to a lot of
Russians night before last. And when they passed
LARRY AND HIS FRIENDS 9
a Jap the whole crowd jeered at the little brown
man."
"Semmel, too?"
" Yes."
" Then I shall watch him," answered Captain
Ponsberry, decidedly.
" Do, but don't let him know it. Some of these
foreign sailors are ugly when they find out they are
being suspected."
" Trust me to manage him," returned the com-
mander of the Columbia; and there the talk on the
subject came to an end.
CHAPTER II
A STORM ON THE PACIFIC
LARRY found Captain Ponsberry working over a
chart on the cabin table, laying out the course of the
ship. The commander of the Columbia was a bluff,
hearty individual and he and the young second mate
thought a great deal of each other.
" Well, what is it? " asked the captain, looking up
quickly.
" I came to report that a storm is coming up from
the west," answered Larry.
" Humph ! I was afraid we'd catch it sooner or
later. Is it close up yet ? "
" It's coming up pretty fast."
Captain Ponsberry said no more, but threw down
his parallel rulers and his pencil. Catching up his
cap, he mounted to the deck, and the young second
mate followed at his heels. The captain gave a long
look to the westward and then a gaze around the re-
mainder of the horizon.
" Tell Cal Vincent to call all hands to shorten
sail ! " he called out to Larry. " Tell 'em to tumble
10
A STORM ON THE PACIFIC II.
up quick, too — thet storm ain't none too far off for
comfort ! "
Larry passed the word to Cal Vincent, who was
ther boatswain of the Columbia, and soon the whistle
piped up shrilly, and those who were below or in the
forecastle, came on deck in a hurry. Already the
wind was freshening, ruffling up the whitecaps in
all directions. The sky, that had been so blue a
short while before, became leaden, and the depths of
the ocean took on a somber hue. The barometer
indicated a great and immediate change.
" Lay aloft there, men ! " cried Captain Pons-
berry. " Our sails are mostly new and we don't
want them ripped up if we can help it. Skip along
there, Peterson ! " The latter words to a big sailor
who was moving across the deck at a snail's pace.
The sailor addressed, scowled. It was not his
watch on deck and he hated to have his midday nap
disturbed.
" Got a nail in ma boot," he said.
" Well, haul it out — after the sails are trimmed,"
returned the captain, and then turned to another
hand: " Semmel, what's the matter with you?"
This to the suspicious-looking sailor with the heavy
black beard.
" Nodding," grumbled Semmel, and turned away
sulkily.
12 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" Then get a move on, or we may lose a stick as
well as a sail," and there followed a perfect volley of
orders in a tone that none of the sailors misunder-
stood. Up to the yards they crawled like so many
monkeys, and soon the creaking of halyard blocks
was heard, as the topsails came down. The jib and
flying jib were also taken in, and a little later the
main-course and the mizzen-course.
" Reckon we can stand the fore-course for a little
while longer," said Captain Ponsberry to Tom
Grandon. " What do you think ? "
" We can, unless it comes quicker nor it is coming
now," returned the first mate.
" Well, keep an eye on the wind and reef her as
soon as it begins to look nasty," said Captain Pons-
berry, and returned to the cabin, to finish his nautical
calculations.
The Columbia had left the last of the Philippines
behind and was headed north through the China Sea
toward the lower extremity of Formosa. She was
not as new a ship as when Larry had first boarded
her at Honolulu, for since that time she had seen half
a dozen years of hard service. But Captain Pons-
berry was a careful man and believed in making re-
pairs as soon as they were needed, so there was small
danger of her opening her seams or going to pieces
even in the stiffest of blows. She leaked a little —
A STORM ON THE PACIFIC 1 3
the best of ships do that — but a short pumping
every morning kept the water at the bottom of the
well.
As second mate, it was Larry's duty to see that
everything on the deck was " ship-shape," and this
was especially necessary when a storm was coming
up. He made a tour of the ship, his keen eyes tak-
ing in every detail.
As it happened, an hour before he had set the
sailor Semmel to work stowing away'some odds and
ends of rope. He had supposed that this task was
long since finished, but now he found the ropes scat-
tered about as before.
" See here, Semmel," he called out, " why didn't
you stow away those ropes as I told you ? "
" Stow dem avay in a leetle vile," answered the
sailor with the heavy beard.
" You'll stow them away now," returned Larry,
sharply. He did not at all fancy the manner of the
hand he was addressing. " I told you to do it an
hour ago. We don't want anything loose on deck
when this storm hits us."
" Vincent kicked de ropes out dare," growled
Semmel. " I had nodding to do mit 'em."
" That isn't here or there. I told you to stow
them away, and I want you to do it. If you don't,
I'll have to report you to the captain."
14 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" Oh, I do him ! " grumbled Semmel, but he
glared at Larry as if he wished to chew the young
second mate up. " You put all dare vork on me,
hey? " he added, after a pause.
" You've got to do your share of it."
" Humph ! " Semmel seemed on the point of
saying more, but shut his teeth and began to arrange
the ropes in proper order. Larry watched him for
a moment and then walked away. As soon as his
back was turned the sailor shook his fist at the young
second mate.
" You vait ! " he muttered. " Chust vait, you
Jankee rat ! "
The sky kept growing darker, and soon came a
puff of wind much heavier than any that had gone
before. The Columbia had been moving over the
waves on an even keel, but now she gave a sudden
lurch to starboard.
" Reckon it's time to take them reefs in the fore-
course," said Grandon to Larry, and soon the sailors
were at work on the sheets, leaving just sufficient
canvas up to make the schooner mind her helm. It
was hard work, for the sudden gusts made the sail
snap and crack like a whip.
So far it had not rained a drop, but now came a
sudden downpour, the drops " as big as hen's eggs,"
to use Luke Striker's manner of describing them.
A STORM ON THE PACIFIC 15
Th«i came a flash of lightning out of the western
sky, followed by a rumble of thunder.
" This is going to be an old-time storm," was
Larry's comment, as he met Luke Striker near the
forecastle. " I'll have to get my oilskin out."
Luke already had his raincoat on and soon the
young mate was similarly provided. Wind and
rain were increasing, and presently there came a
flash of lightning and a clap of thunder that made
everybody jump. The thunder brought Captain
Ponsberry to the deck in a hurry.
"Did that hit us?" he questioned, looking
around anxiously.
" No, sir, but it was pretty close," replied Gran-
don.
" Is everything secure ? " went on the commander,
to Larry.
" Yes, sir."
It was difficult to converse further, for the wind
was now whistling through the rigging, driving the
rain in sheets across the deck. All had to hold fast
for fear of being swept overboard. On every side
the sea was lashing itself into a foam and the waves
were growing higher and higher. At one instant
the Columbia would seem to be riding on top of a
mountain, the next she would sink down and down
into the trough of the sea.
16 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" Well, Larry, how do you like this? " questioned
Captain Ponsberry, as he took a position beside the
second mate.
" Oh, I don't mind it at all," was the cheery
answer. " I used to mind the storms, but I've got
used to them."
" This isn't a plaything we are getting."
" Oh, I know that — you can see it by the way the
wind is driving us. But we are not near any land,
are we?"
" No."
" Then we'll be sure to outride it. I feel I
can bank on the old Columbia for almost any-
thing."
At this Captain Ponsberry laid an affectionate
hand on his second mate's shoulder.
" Reckon you love the old craft about as well as I
do," he said.
" I don't know about that — you've been on board
so many more years than myself. But to me she is
a second home."
" I see. Well, let us hope we get through with
this trip in safety."
"Don't you imagine we'll do it?" questioned
Larry, quickly.
" Certainly. But you must remember that we
may have trouble if we fall in with any Russian war-
A STORM ON THE PACIFIC 1 7
ship." Captain Ponsberry lowered his voice. " Did
you have trouble with Semmel ? "
" A little. I ordered him to coil up some ropes
and he didn't obey me right away. But he stowed
them away afterwards."
Captain Ponsberry drew a long breath. "The
more I see of that chap the less I like him."
" I never liked him from the start," answered
Larry, frankly. " But you'll have to give him credit
for being a good all-round sailor."
" There is no doubt but what he is that, Larry.
But he has a bad eye."
" What do you think he could do to harm
us?"
" Nothing — unless we fell in with a Russian war-
ship. In that case, if he was a Russian sympathizer,
he might expose the fact that while we are carrying
a cargo for the Richmond Importing Company the
goods are really meant for the Japanese Govern-
ment."
"Does he know that?"
" I'm not sure, one way or the other. What lam
afraid of is, that he may know a good bit more nor
we suspect."
" I see." The young second mate mused for a
moment. " I'll tell you what I'd do, if I thought he
was going to play me foul — and we fell in with a
18 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
Russian warship. I'd clap him below decks, out of
sight until the warship went on her way again."
" That's easily said ; but I can't make him a pris-
oner unless I can prove something against him."
" You can lock him up if he is sulky and won't
obey orders."
" Yes, that is true. Still Phew ! "
The captain broke off short, for a vivid streak of
lightning flared all over the upper masts of the ship.
The thunder-clap was as sharp as it was deafening,
and for the moment all on board thought the Co-
lumbia had surely been struck. Then came a down-
pour which made even the boldest of the sailors seek
shelter.
" That was closer than I like," was Larry's com-
ment, after it was ascertained that the ship was un-
harmed.
" 'Most knocked me overboard," came from Luke
Striker. " Gosh ! reckon my hair's singed," and he
put up his hand and ran his fingers through his
grayish locks. " Don't want another like thet no-
how!"
A few minutes later came another flash of light-
ning, but this was to the eastward, showing that the
center of the storm had passed them. The wind was
apparently going down, but the sea was as angry as
ever and would be for hours to come.
A STORM ON THE PACIFIC 19
Luke had retired to the forecastle with several
other sailors. Larry's watch on deck was also at an
end, and he was just on the point of going below,
when from the west came a curious humming sound
which made the young second mate pause. The
humming increased, and then of a sudden the
Columbia was caught in a hurricane blast that threw
her far over on her side.
" Help ! " Larry heard, in the voice of Captain
Ponsberry. " Somebody help me, quick, or I'll go
overboard 1 "
CHAPTER III
LARRY LEARNS SOMETHING
THE accident which had happened to Captain Nat
Pon sherry was certainly a curious one, although
similar to that which once cost the life of a young
officer in our navy.
When the hurricane blast reached the Columbia,
the captain was in the act of slipping on a lined rain-
coat,— a big affair, with long sleeves and an extra
high collar. One arm was in the coat and the other
was going down the sleeve when it caught in the lin-
ing. At that instant the shock threw the captain
across the deck and almost over the railing. He
caught at the railing with his free hand, but his other
hand remained a prisoner in the coat sleeve, while
the garment itself stuck in a bunch across his
shoulders.
" Help ! " he roared again. He tried to pull him-
self up, and to free the hand in the sleeve, but found
both impossible.
Larry did not wait for a second cry for assistance.
He knew the captain so well that he felt the officer
20
21
would only call when in dire peril. He ran out on
the slippery deck in double-quick order.
" Hullo, where are you? " he yelled.
"Here! Help!"
The young second mate caught sight of the cap-
tain not a moment too soon. Another lurch of the
Columbia had thrown him completely over the rail,
and there he clung with one hand, while the spray
was flying all over him.
Not waiting to count the possible cost, Larry
slid rather than ran to the rail. Years before he
had learned a trick which now stood him in good
stead. He wound his legs around the under rail,
catching the upper one with his left hand. Then
he clutched Captain Ponsberry by the tangled-up
arm.
"On deck there!" he yelled. "Throw a rope
this way, and hurry up about it ! "
" What's the trouble? " came from Tom Grandon,
who had been in another part of the ship and had
not heard the captain's cry.
" The captain is almost overboard. Throw us a
rope."
Tom Grandon was quick to act. The rope came
whizzing toward Larry, and in a twinkling he had it
around his body and also around the captain.
" Haul in 1 " he called, and Grandon and two
sailors did so. Over the rail came Captain Pons-
berry, still fighting to release the tangled-up arm.
In a moment more all danger was past.
" Well, how in the world did this happen ? " ques-
tioned Grandon.
" Tell ye — soon as I can git free o' this consarned
coat ! " spluttered Captain Ponsberry, and he gave
the garment a jerk that ripped one of the sleeves
completely in half. " Did ye ever see sech foolish-
ness ? " he added. And then he told how the lurch
of the ship had carried him over the rail just when he
could use but one hand. " After this I reckon I'll
put on my coat afore I go on deck," he concluded.
" It was a lucky thing that Larry heard you cry
out," said the first mate. " I was at the wheel,
helping Groot."
" That's right, Tom." The captain turned to the
youth. " Larry, you're a brave one, and always
was. I ain't going to forget this ! "
" Oh, don't say anything about it," came from the
young second mate, modestly. " I know you'd do
as much for me, if I needed it."
" Well, I would, an' there's my hand on it," cried
Captain Ponsberry, heartily, and gave Larry a grip
that made him wince.
The storm kept up for the remainder of the day.
But its worst fury was spent, and during the night
LARRY LEARNS SOMETHING 2J
the wind went down to nothing more than a stiff
breeze, which was just what was wanted. All of
the sails were again set; and the schooner resumed
her course as before.
Before leaving Manila Larry had purchased a
number of newspapers printed in that city in Eng-
lish. So far he had had no chance to look the
sheets over, but now came two days in which there
was little to do, and he spent several hours in de-
vouring the news, while he also let his friend Luke
do some reading.
" Tell ye what, this 'ere war between Russia and
Japan is goin' to be a big thing," said Luke, after
reading an account of the first fights on land and on
sea. " It ain't goin' to be no such short affair as our
little rumpus in Cuby."
" You are right, Luke ; this war is going to be a
long and bitter one."
" Who is goin' to win, do you think ? " • .
" I'm sure I don't know. Russia is a vast
country, with millions of people and with an im-
mense army and navy. I suppose she can put five
times as many men in the field as Japan can."
" But them Japs know how to fight."
" Indeed they do — they have proved that already.
And what is to their advantage, they are closer to
Korea and Manchuria than Russia is. They can get
24 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
on the fighting ground quicker, — which counts for
a good deal."
" How those Russians must have been astonished
when the Japanese warships sailed into 'em at Port
Arthur last February. I don't believe they were ex-
pecting an attack."
" Hardly, for war had just been declared. But
you wouldn't have caught Uncle Sam napping like
that, Luke."
" Right ye are, lad ; it ain't his style. An' then to
see how them Japs have been a-blowin' up the Rus-
sian warships ever since. They must have a fine
navy."
" Yes, and good gunners, too. I was told in
Nagasaki that quite a few American gunners were
on their ships — fellows who served under Dewey at
Manila and under Sampson and Schley off Cuba."
" I believe you, lad. When a feller gits it in his
bones to fight on a warship there ain't no life on a
merchantman goin' to satisfy him. Some jackies
would rather fight nor eat — you know thet as well
as I do."
" Well, I shouldn't mind doing some fighting
myself. You know I was on a stand about going
with Ben and Gilbert Pennington."
" Where do you reckon they are now ? "
" In Manchuria, I suppose, fighting as hard as
LARRY LEARNS SOMETHING 2$
they can. I thought I would get a letter from them
before we left Manila, but nothing came."
" I suppose the mails are all upset, on account of
the war," put in Cal Vincent, who sat nearby, sewing
a button on his shirt. " If you'll remember, Naga-
saki was in a big state of excitement while we were
there last."
" Did they say anything about any Russian war-
ships bein' in these parts ? " questioned Luke.
" No."
" It would be strange if we did fall in with them."
" Which puts me in mind," came from the boat-
swain, and then he gazed around to see if any other
persons were near. " Semmel says he ain't no Rus-
sian, but it's dollars to doughnuts he is," he con-
tinued, in a lowered tone.
" Have you discovered anything new ? " de-
manded Larry.
" Yes and no. Last night I overheard him and
Peterson talking in a suspicious kind of a way. I
didn't catch much, for they talked partly in English
and partly in a foreign language. But I am sure
they are favoring Russia, and Semmel said some-
thing about doing something to harm Japan."
" I don't see how they could do anything on board
of this ship," came from Luke.
" You didn't hear anything definite? "
20 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" Can't say that I did," answered the boatswain.
" We had better watch them closer than ever."
" All right ; I'll do my share," responded Vincent,
and Luke Striker said the same.
That very afternoon Larry had another quarrel
with the sailor with the long beard. Semmel had a
bucket of dirty water which he was carrying to the
ship's side. As Larry passed he pretended to stub
his toe and allowed some of the dirty water to flow
over the young second mate's foot.
" Semmel, what did you do that for ? " cried
Larry, indignantly.
" Canno help dat," said the sailor. " I slip."
" You did it on purpose ! "
" Oh, no ! " And the sailor grinned wickedly.
*' I say you did. If you try anything like that
again, I'll make it warm for you. Get a swab and
clean the deck up at once ! "
As Semmel sauntered off, and while Larry was
stamping the water from his shoe, Captain Pons-
berry came up. He had seen the trick played from a
distance.
" What did you tell Semmel ? " he questioned,
sharply.
" Told him to swab the deck up. I think he
slopped the dirty water over me on purpose."
" Just my idea of it. I'll tell him what I think of
LARRY LEARNS SOMETHING 2/
it." And striding after the bearded sailor Captain
Ponsberry gave him a lecture not to be readily for-
gotten.
" I won't have any of your dirty underhanded
work aboard of my ship," he concluded. " Either
you'll behave yourself, or I'll put you in irons."
"*In irons ! " ejaculated Semmel, scowling
viciously.
" That is what I said and that is what I mean.
Ever since you came on board you have been acting
in this same dirty fashion and I want it stopped.
Now swab up that deck, and see that you make a
first-class job of it. For two pins I'd make you
black Russell's shoes."
" No black nobody's shoes," growled Semmel, but
in such a low tone that Captain Ponsberry could not
hear him. He cleaned the deck in his own ugly, in-
dependent manner, muttering imprecations against
both Larry and the captain in the meantime.
As a matter of fact, even though he had denied it
to Captain Ponsberry and others, Ostag Semmel was
really a Russian by birth, having been born and
raised in the seaport of Kolaska. He had been
drafted into the army, but not wishing to serve under
a military rule which is unusually severe, he had run
away to sea and become a sailor.
Life on the ocean suited Semmel very well and he
28 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
would have remained away from Russia had it not
been for the fact that a rich uncle had died leaving
him a property valued at two thousand dollars — a
small fortune in the eyes of a man of this Russian's
standing. He wished to go back to claim his in-
heritance, but feared to do so, for he knew that once
on Russian soil he would be arrested for desertion,
and might be sent to a military prison for a great
number of years.
From a friend in Manila he had heard of some-
thing which interested him greatly. This was the
news that another deserter from the Russian army
had been pardoned for his offense because he had
taken home with him important news concerning the
movements of a certain Japanese warship.
" If I could only do as well," he told himself, over
and over again, and then, when he signed articles for
the Columbia's trip, he listened eagerly to some talk
he overheard about the ship's cargo. When he be-
gan to suspect the truth — that the cargo was meant
for the Japanese Government — his eyes glistened
cunningly.
" If I can only let Russia know of this ! " he
reasoned. "All will go well with me. If I can
only let Russia know ! "
CHAPTER IV
THE RUSSIAN SAILOR'S PLOT
CAPTAIN PONSBERRY'S stern manner made Ostag
Semmel wild with hatred, and when he went back
to the forecastle after swabbing up the deck he was
in a fit mental condition for almost any dark deed.
For a good half -hour he lay in his bunk in a
corner, brooding over his ill-luck and wondering
what he could do to revenge himself upon both the
master of the schooner and Larry. Larry he es-
pecially disliked — the very open-heartedness of the
young second mate made him long to do the lad
harm.
At the end of the half-hour another sailor came in.
It was Carl Peterson, his close friend. Peterson was
a burly tar who had visited nearly every quarter of the
globe. He loved to drink and carouse, and was ever
ready to lend a hand in any excitement that offered.
There was a rumor that he had once led a mutiny on
a Danish merchant vessel, but this he denied, laying
the blame entirely on others.
" Is that you, Peterson ? " demanded Semmel, in
3O AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
his native tongue, for he knew that the other could
speak Russian fluently.
" Yes," came in a rough voice from Peterson.
He gave a coarse laugh. " A fine job you made of
it, to pour dirty water over Russell and then have to
swab up the deck for it."
"Who told you of that?"
" Didn't I see it with my own eyes — and heard
what the captain said, too."
" Bah ! It makes me sick ! " growled Semmel.
" I am sick of the ship — the crew — everything ! "
Peterson gave a short toss of his head, which was
covered with a shock of fiery red hair. " What are
you going to do about it ? Even if the captain treats
you like a dog, what shall you do, Ostag Semmel?
He thinks we are all curs— door mats to wipe feet
on!"
" He shall find out that I am neither a dog nor a
door mat ! " muttered the bearded Russian. " By
my right hand I promise you that ! "
" Talk is cheap — it takes wind to make the mill
go," answered Peterson. To an outsider it would
have been plain to see that he was leading Semmel
on, in an endeavor to find out what was in his com-
panion's mind.
" It will not end in talk."
" Bah ! I have heard that before."
THE RUSSIAN SAILOR'S PLOT 31
" I have been thinking," went on Ostag Semmel,
slowly. " Can I trust you ? "
" You know you can."
" You do not love the captain — do not love that
Russell?"
"Do I act as if I did?"
" Good ! Now, how many on board of this
ship?"
" Fourteen men, counting in ourselves."
" You count fairly. Fourteen, how many are our
friends?"
" Postnak and Conroy, at least."
" Then we are four, so far. Now, what of Groot
and Shamhaven and Jack Wilbur ? "
" Groot is a good fellow and a man who wishes to
make money."
" And Shamhaven will do almost anything for
money — he once told me so. He took a sailor suit
from a store in Manila without paying for it."
" I know that too. The tailor was rich and didn't
need the money," and Peterson gave another coarse
laugh.
" Then we are six — to stand up for our rights.
And Jack Wilbur will make seven — just half the
number on the ship."
" How can we count that Wilbur in ? He is a
Yankee."
32 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" He is a weakling and we can manage him, — and
I think we can manage some others, too — when we
get that far."
"How far do you mean?" demanded Peterson,
although he knew about what was coming.
" Is anybody else near here ? "
" No," and Peterson took a careful look around.
" Supposing we seize the ship — in the name of the
Russian Government ? They have a Japanese cargo
on board, the captain cannot deny it. We can take,
the ship, sail her to some Russian port, and win both
prize money and glory. Is it not a grand scheme? "
" Ha, that is fine ! " Carl Peterson's eyes glowed
voraciously. " Ostag, you are a man after my own
heart ! We might become rich ! "
" Then you like the plan? "
" Yes — providing we can make it work. But it is
a big undertaking. If we were caught we might
swing from a yardarm for it."
" We can make it work — I have another plan for
that. I have thought it out completely. We can —
but more later," and Ostag Semmel broke off
abruptly, as several sailors entered the forecastle.
A little later he began to complain in broken English
to a sailor named Jack Wilbur that he was suffering
from a severe stomach ache.
" Sorry to hear on it," said Wilbur, who was a
THE RUSSIAN SAILOR'S PLOT 33
very mild foremast hand. "Anything I can do
for you ? "
" I dink not," answered Semmel. " I dink de
poor grub ve git mak me feel pad."
" Didn't notice that the grub was poor," answered
Wilbur.
" Very poor — not so goot as py my las' ship,"
answered Semmel. " Some grub here not fit to
eat."
It was soon noised around that Semmel was not
feeling well and that he had complained that the
food dealt out at noontime had made him sick. As
soon as Captain Ponsberry heard of this he went to
interview Jeff, the colored cook, who, as of old, was
singing gayly to himself among the pots and pans
of the ship's galley.
"Wasn't nuffin 'de mattah wid dat grub, Cap'n
Ponsberry," exclaimed Jeff, after hearing what the
commander of the ship had to say. " It was jess
as good as we always has."
" Was it thoroughly cooked ? "
" Yes, sah — I don't 'low nuffin to go from dis
yere galley 'less it am well cooked."
" Are your pots and kettles clean ? "
" Yes, sah — yo' can see fo' yourself, sah."
The captain did see, and moreover he knew that
Jeff was usually a careful and conscientious culinary
34 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
artist who always gave the men the best his stock
afforded.
" Well, be careful of what you cook and how you
cook it after this," said Captain Ponsberry.
" Would yo' mind tellin' me, sah, who is kick-
ing, sah ? " asked Jeff, respectfully.
" Semmel says he was made sick by what he ate."
" Huh, dat scab ! " grunted Jeff. " He ain't no
'count at all, he ain't ! " And the cook turned away
in disgust.
" It looks to me as if Semmel was trying to make
trouble all around," said Tom Grandon, when he
and the captain and Larry talked the matter over.
" I never liked that man from the first time I
clapped eyes on him," came from Larry. " He's a
sneak — and worse."
" I shall watch him pretty closely after this,"
said Captain Ponsberry. " One discontented fel-
low like him can upset the whole ship if he sets out
to do it."
" They can't complain of the grub," went on the
first mate. " It's as good as on any merchantman,
and better than the law requires."
" I guess it was the deck-swabbing that gave him
the stomach ache," said Larry, and this made the
captain and Grandon smile.
The next day when the sailors sat down to their
THE RUSSIAN SAILOR'S PLOT 35
dinner two or three of them sniffed suspiciously at
the food they were eating.
" This don't taste just right to me," said Sham-
haven. " The meat tastes decayed."
" And the vegetables ain't much better," put in
Conroy, — a sturdy Irish-American, who was one of
the best seamen on the schooner.
" Dat dinner am fust-class," cried Jeff. " I ain't
gwine to stand yere an' see you growlin' at it."
" It certainly tastes a bit off, Jeff," put in Jack
Wilbur. " Taste it yourself."
The cook did so, and his face looked doubtful
for a moment.
" Guess dat needs a little salt an' pepper," he said,
slowly. It did not taste nearly as good as he had
anticipated.
As there was nothing else to do, and they were
hungry, the men ate the meal, grumbling to them-
selves as they did so. Luke said but little and ate
sparingly, and his example was followed by Cal
Vincent.
The captain, Grandon, and Larry ate in the cabin
and the dinner served to them was first-class in
every particular.
" Guess Jeff is spreading himself, just to show
what he can do," remarked Larry to the first mate,
after he had finished his repast.
36 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" It's very good, Larry," answered Tom Grandon.
By the middle of the afternoon three of the men
were complaining of feeling sick and all attributed
their ailments to what they had eaten for dinner.
" Ha! vat I tole you? " cried Semmel. " Didn't
I say de grub vos pad ? Not maybe you belief me,
hey?"
" I shan't stand for any more poor grub," came
from Shamhaven. " If I can't get good stuff I'm
going to the captain about it."
The sickness of the hands worried Captain Pons-
berry greatly and he opened up his medicine chest and
gave them such remedies as he thought were best.
At supper time Jeff was extra cautious in selecting
and preparing the food. Nevertheless, the men who
ate of it were suspicious and more than half the
meal went to waste. The captain was very thought-
ful, but said little or nothing.
On the following day the wind died down utterly
and it was exceedingly warm. With nothing to do,
the majority of the hands gathered at the bow to
talk of matters in general, and the food in particular.
Semmel and Peterson were of the number, and both
did all in their power to magnify the outrage, as
they termed it.
" Der captain don't haf any right to gif us such
grub," said Semmel. " It vos against der law."
THE RUSSIAN SAILOR S PLOT 37
" On some ships there would be a mutiny over
this," added Peterson.
Larry overheard a part of the conversation and
it set him thinking. Luke Striker also grew sus-
picious.
" Unless I am mistaken, this is some of Semmel's
work," said Larry to the old tar. " He is doing his
level best to make trouble on the ship."
" Well, he better mind his business," grumbled
Luke. " I don't reckon the captain will stand fer
any underhanded work."
Without appearing to do so, Larry continued to
keep his eyes on Semmel, and about an hour before
dinner he saw the bearded sailor approach the cook's
galley and look inside. Jeff was below, getting a
case of canned goods. With a swift movement,
Semmel stepped into the galley, raised the lid of a
big pot full of stew that was on the stove, and
sprinkled something over the food. Then he hur-
ried out and sneaked forward once more.
" The rascal ! " murmured Larry. " So this is
his game. I wonder what he put into that pot ? "
For the moment the young second mate thought
to confront Semmel and demand an explanation.
Then he changed his mind and hurried for the cabin,
to tell the news to Captain Ponsberry.
CHAPTER V
SIGNS OF A MUTINY
" I'VE found out something important, Captain
Ponsberry," said Larry, as he entered the cabin.
" I now know what's the matter with the grub.''
To all salt-water sailors food is grub and nothing
else.
" Well, what is the matter with it ? " questioned
the master of the Columbia, quickly.
" It's being doctored, that's what's the matter."
"Doctored?"
" Yes, sir, — doctored by Semmel, too."
" Will you explain what you mean, Larry ? " de-
manded the captain, intensely interested.
" I just saw that rascal go into the cook's galley.
Jeff wasn't there, and Semmel took the lid off of a
big pot on the stove and sprinkled something in-
side."
" What ! " Captain Ponsberry leaped to his feet.
" Are you certain of this ? " he demanded.
" I am — for I saw it with my own eyes."
" What was that stuff he put into the pot? "
38
SIGNS OF A MUTINY 39
"I don't know."
" Did he touch anything else? "
" No. He was in a tremendous hurry and was-
n't in the galley more than a minute at the most."
" The scoundrel ! " Captain Ponsberry clenched
his fists. " Larry, you are positive you are making
no mistake ? "
" I saw the thing done just as I told you. The
stuff was in a bit of white paper. When he went
forward he threw the paper overboard."
" Did anybody else see this ? "
" I don't think so. But "
At that moment came a knock on the cabin door
and Luke Striker appeared.
" Excuse me, sir," he said, touching his cap.
" But I've got something important to report."
"What is it, Striker?"
" I jess see that air Semmel go in and out o' the
cook's galley."
" That is just what I am reporting! " cried Larry.
" Did you see what he did, Luke ? "
" No. He wasn't in there only a minit. It
looked suspicious to me, though — with all hands
gittin' sick from the grub."
" This is all the evidence I want," said Captain
Ponsberry. " We'll soon make an end of this.
Larry, send Semmel to me."
4O AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
The young second mate left the cabin with Luke
and both hurried toward the bow, where Semmel
and Peterson were conversing in low tones.
" The captain wants to see you at once," said
Larry to the bearded sailor.
His tone was so sharp it made Semmel start.
" Vat he vants ? " he queried.
" Go and find out for yourself."
" Maybe you git me in droubles, hey ? " and the
bearded sailor scowled.
" I reckon as how you're gittin' yourself into
trouble," drawled Luke, dryly.
" You keep your mouf shut ! " cried Semmel. " I
no talk to you, no ! "
" The captain wants you to report ; are you going
to do so or not ? " demanded Larry.
" Sure I go," answered Semmel, with a toss of
his head, and he slouched toward the stern. His
manner was so aggressive that Larry picked up a
belaying pin before following him.
Captain Ponsberry had just appeared on deck.
He had armed himself with a short club, — a sure
sign to those who knew him that something unusual
was in the wind. His face was stern and forbid-
ding, and all hands gathered around to see what
was the trouble.
" Semmel, I want to have a talk with you," he
SIGNS OF A MUTINY 4!
said, in a loud voice, as the bearded sailor came
up.
To this the sailor nodded but did not answer.
" I want to know what you were doing in the
cook's galley a short while ago."
" De cook's galley?" The sailor acted as if he
was puzzled. " I no go by de galley, captain."
" You were in the galley and you put something
into the stew-pot. What was it? " thundered Cap-
tain Ponsberry. " Tell me the truth, or I may take
it into my head to break every bone in your body ! "
And he shook his club in the sailor's face.
" I put noddings in de pot," cried Semmel. " I
no go in de galley — I no been in de galley two,
tree days. It is a lie ! "
" I saw you go in," came from Luke.
" And so did I," added Larry. " And I saw you
sprinkle something into the pot."
" What, did dat good-fo'-nuffin furiner put some-
t'ing in ma eatin' ? " shrieked Jeff, who had come
up. " Oh,— yo'— yo' "
" Never mind, Jeff, I'll attend to this," inter-
rupted the captain.
" Yes, sah, but dat monkey-faced "
" Never mind now — fall back there," added the
captain, and the cook fell back, but shook his fist
at Semmel.
42 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" I not in de galley," reiterated the bearded sailor.
" Russell an' Striker no tell de truth."
" It is true," cried Larry.
" Thet's so, an' you can't squirm out o' it," broke
in Luke. " I saw ye as plain as day."
"I want to know what you put into that stew-
pot ? " continued Captain Ponsberry.
" I no go near de galley. I "
" I know you went into the galley and I know
you put something into the stew. For the last time
I ask you, what was it ? "
For reply Ostag Semmel simply shrugged his
shoulders.
" Are you going to tell me the truth? "
" I reckon the truth ain't in him," grumbled Luke,
under his breath.
" I say noddings more," came sourly from the
bearded sailor.
" Put that man in irons," commanded Captain
Ponsberry, turning quickly to Larry and Grandon.
" If he won't talk now, perhaps he'll talk after he
has spent a day in the brig."
" Vat ! you put me in irons ! " shrieked Semmel.
" You no got right to do dat, no ! "
" Haven't I ? " answered Captain Ponsberry, in a
voice that cut like a whip. " I'd like to see anybody
dispute over it. Larry, Tom, do as I command."
SIGNS OF A MUTINY 43
" Yes, sir/' answered Larry, and ran off to get
a pair of handcuffs while Tom Grandon stationed
himself beside Ostag Semmel, belaying pin in hand.
" You no mak me a prisoner ! " fumed the bearded
sailor. " You got no right ! "
He continued to rave, saying that it was a plot
against him, because he had been the first to com-
plain about the vile food served to the hands; that
he had not been near the galley and that the captain,
Grandon, and Larry knew it. He even appealed to
the other sailors to stand by him, and several came
forward to argue with Captain Ponsberry. But the
master of the schooner was obstinate and would not
listen.
" I know what I am doing, men," he said, quickly
but firmly. " He is a scoundrel and a spell in the
brig will do him good. After this I reckon you'll
find the grub all right."
" I no like " began Peterson, once more.
" You shut up, Peterson, or I'll put you in the
brig with Semmel," cut in the captain, and Peterson
fell back with the rest, but with a brow that was dark
and distrustful.
By this time Larry had returned with the hand-
cuffs and despite the resistance he offered, Ostag
Semmel was made a prisoner. Then the first and
the second mates led him to the schooner's brig, —
44 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
a narrow, V-shaped room in the bow of the boat,
usually used for storing lanterns and oil. The smell
in the closet — for it was nothing else — was far from
pleasant, and a day in the brig usually made a
prisoner repent and promise to do better.
" I mak trouble for dis ! " growled Semmel, as the
door was closed and bolted on him. "I mak
trouble, yes ! You got no right to do dis, no ! "
" And you haven't any right to doctor the grub,"
answered Larry, and then he and Grandon walked
away.
" That fellow is a first-class villain, to my way of
reasoning," was the first mate's comment. " I be-
lieve he'd do almost anything to get square for
this."
After Ostag Semmel had been placed in the brig
Captain Ponsberry called all hands to him once more
and related what Luke and Larry had seen. The
stew was inspected, but nothing suspicious could be
seen about it.
" If any of you want to try that stew you may do
so," said the captain. " Of course, if Semmel didn't
touch it there can be nothing in it that can hurt you."
But all, even to Peterson, declined to even taste the
food. It was one thing to think Semmel innocent
but quite another to run the risk of being made sick
or poisoned. In the end the stew was dumped over-
SIGNS OF A MUTINY 45
board and Jeff prepared an entirely new dinner for
all hands.
" You must keep close watch on all of the men,"
said the captain to Larry and Grandon, when quiet-
ness had been restored. " Semmel was the worst of
the lot, but I do not like the way Peterson and one or
two others are acting."
" I don't see what they can do," answered Larry.
" They might start a mutiny," came from the first
mate.
" Would they dare go as far as that ? "
" Sometimes sailors get strange notions, and the
old Harry himself can't stop them," said Captain
Ponsberry. " A thing that in itself doesn't amount
to much will start them off, and they'll imagine that
everything is going wrong. When I was a lad, on
board the Mary Eliza, Captain Snapper, we had a
mutiny just because the coffee wasn't right."
" Yes, and I can remember that they had a mutiny
on the old brig Chesterfield because Captain Roe's
wife brought a cross-eyed yellow cat on board,"
added Grandon. " Not a man would hoist a sail un-
til that feline was put ashore. And when, two
months later, the brig lost her foremast in a gale, the
sailors said it was on account of that same cat, she
having scratched the mast before she was taken
away ! "
46 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" Well, I hope we don't have a mutiny," said
Larry. " I'd like to suggest something, Captain
Ponsberry," he went on, to the master of the
Columbia.
" Fire ahead, Larry."
" You know we can trust Luke Striker. Why not
have him report just what the other hands are
doing?"
" That's an idea, and I will act on it. Yes, I'd
trust Striker as quick as I'd trust you. If there is to
be trouble we certainly want to know of it as soon as
possible," concluded the captain.
CHAPTER VI
THE FIGHT FOR THE SHIP
THE day to follow was Sunday, and contrary to
expectations, it passed quietly. As there was hardly
any wind, the old Columbia made slow progress, and
the sailors had little or nothing to do. As was his
usual habit, Larry read his Bible, and Captain Pons-
berry held a short church service, which less than
half the crew attended.
" It's plain to see that the men are sulky," said
Tom Grandon, towards evening. " We are certain
to hear something from them shortly."
Luke had been told to report anything unusual,
but it was not until after dark that he sought out
Captain Ponsberry.
" I ain't got much to say," said the old tar. " But
to my mind Peterson, Groot, and Shamhaven are
doin' a powerful lot of confabbin'. More'n that, I
saw Peterson cleaning up a pistol he's got."
" Are any of the other hands armed ? "
" I ain't seen no other shootin'-irons," answered
Luke.
47
48 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
The captain had expected to interview Semmel
once more, but found the fellow so surly he gave up
the attempt. As the brig was so hot and uncom-
fortable, the master of the schooner had the door
fixed so it could be left open several inches, with a
chain at the bolt to keep it from going further.
At four o'clock Monday morning Peterson came
on duty, followed by Shamhaven and some others.
All made their way to the bow and began to talk in
a low but earnest fashion. Then Peterson went
below, to where Semmel was still confined in the
brig.
" We are ready to move now," said he, in Rus-
sian. " What do you think ? "
" Let me out and I will show you what I think,"
growled Ostag Semmel. " The captain is a dog —
and Grandon and Russell are dogs, too ! "
Peterson was prepared to unlock the chain which
held the brig door and did so. Then he handed a
pistol to the Russian.
" The captain and Russell are in their state-
rooms," said Peterson. " Only Grandon is on deck,
with Vincent and with the men we can trust to help
us."
" We can't trust Vincent."
" I know that."
"Where is Striker?"
THE FIGHT FOR THE SHIP 49
" Asleep in his berth."
But on this score Carl Peterson was mistaken.
Luke had pretended to go to sleep, but he was
now in a corner on deck, watching with keen eyes
all that was occurring. Presently he saw Sem-
tnel in company with Peterson hurry towards
the bow, and he felt that the time for action had
arrived.
" Hi, Mr. Grandon ! " he called out, running up
to the first mate.
"What is it, Striker?"
" They've released Semmel and they are arming
themselves."
" You don't say ! " Tom Grandon was stunned
for the instant. " Tell the captain and Russell of
this at once! "
" Aye, aye, sir ! "
Rushing down the companionway, Luke entered
the cabin and knocked on the door of Captain Pons-
berry's stateroom.
" Wake up, captain ! " he called, loudly. " Wake
up ! There is going to be trouble putty quick, to my
way o' thinkin' ! "
" What has gone wrong now ? " demanded the
master of the Columbia, as he hurried into his clothes
and armed himself. " Where is Grandon ? "
" On deck ; he sent me to tell you. They have
SO AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
set Semmel free and some of 'em are arming them-
selves."
"A mutiny!" roared Captain Ponsberry.
" Striker, you'll stand by me, of course ? "
" That I will, sir— to the end."
" Good. I know Vincent will do the same. Do
you know anything about the others ? "
" I think you can count on Jeff the cook."
"What of Wilbur?"
" He's so weak-kneed I don't know what he'll do,"
answered Striker.
By this time Larry was out of his stateroom.
With his door ajar he had heard all that had been
said.
" Oh, Luke, do you think they'll try to seize the
ship ? " he gasped.
" Don't know what they'll do. They're a plumb
crazy lot," growled the old tar. " It was a mistake
to take such fellers as Semmel and Peterson and
Shamhaven aboard."
" That is true, but when Devine and Larson got
sick and went to the hospital at Manila I had to get
somebody," answered Captain Ponsberry. He
brought out several pistols. " Here, Larry, take one
of these, and a cutlass, too, and you, Striker, can arm
yourself likewise."
There was no time to answer, for the master of
THE FIGHT FOR THE SHIP 51
the schooner was already striding through the cabin
in the direction of the companionway. An instant
later came a yell from the deck, followed by heavy
footsteps and then the report of a pistol.
" Drive dem to de cabin ! " came in the voice of
Semmel. " Drive dem along, kvick ! " And then
followed another yell and the sounds of half a dozen
blows.
" Below there ! " came in Tom Grandon's voice.
"Help! help!"
" I'm coming ! " called up Captain Ponsberry.
" Don't you dare to step on deck, captain ! " yelled
down the voice of Shamhaven. " Don't you dare to
do it ! " And the sailor appeared, pistol in hand, at
the top of the companionway.
" Shamhaven, what does this mean ? " demanded
the master of the Columbia.
" It means that we have taken possession of the
ship, that's what it means," came from Groot.
" Of you come up here, you maybe git killed,"
put in Ostag Semmel. " You stay down dare, you
hear ? " And then, as the captain started to mount
the stairs, he threw down a belaying pin. In the
semi-darkness the captain did not see the object, and
it struck him on the top of the head, rendering him
partly unconscious.
Larry and Luke were close behind their leader and
52 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
both were alarmed to see him go down, uttering a
deep groan as he did so.
" Is he killed ? " questioned the young second mate.
" I don't know," was the old tar's response.
"Shall we go up?"
" Keep back there ! " was the call from above.
" Put a step on those stairs and it will be the worse
for you ! "
At that moment .came a cry from Cal Vincent.
The boatswain had been attacked from behind and
was given no chance to defend himself. Then came
a roar from Jeff, who came rushing toward the
companionway as if all the demons of the deep were
behind him.
" Sabe me ! sabe me ! " he screamed. " Da is
gwine to pirate de ship I Sabe me ! " And then
he came plunging down headlong, directly on top of
Larry, Luke, and the prostrate captain.
This unexpected coming of Jeff sent the young
second mate and the old tar flat on Captain Pons-
berry, and for the moment there was a struggle all
around. In the meantime some sailors on the deck
began to drag a heavy hatch toward the stairs.
Soon this was placed in position, and then those
below were virtually prisoners.
" Oh my, sabe me ! " groaned Jeff once more, as
he managed to get on his feet in the cabin, followed
THE FIGHT FOR THE SHIP 53
by Larry and Luke. " Don't you let dem swing me
from de yardarm ! "
"Jeff, where are Grandon and Vincent?" de-
manded Larry.
" I dunno, sah — dead, I guess," answered the
cook. " Oh, dis am de awfulest t'ing wot I eber
heard tell ob! " he added, woefully, and wrung his
hands.
The lantern in the cabin was turned up and Larry
gave his attention once more to Captain Ponsberry,
who was now opening his eyes.
" Oh, my head ! " came with a shiver. " My
head!"
" I'm glad they didn't kill you," said Larry,
kindly. " Luke, help me carry him into the cabin.
We'll put him on the couch."
This was done, and they did what they could to
make the master of the schooner comfortable. But
it was a good half-hour before Captain Ponsberry
could sit up and do any rational thinking.
On deck all had become suddenly quiet. Occa-
sionally those below could hear a footstep near the
companionway, showing that one or more of the
mutineers were on guard. The hatch shut off
the view on deck, and the windows in the ceiling
of the cabin were also boarded over from the out-
side.
54 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" They have us like rats in a trap," said Larry,
bitterly.
" And for all we know Vincent and Grandon are
both dead," returned Luke Striker, soberly. " I
must say, lad, we seem to be in a bad way and no
mistake."
" Dey'll throw us overboard, I know dey will ! "
groaned Jeff, who was almost white with terror.
" I neber see sech goin's-on in all ma life ! "
To fight the mutineers further was, just then, out
of the question, and Larry turned his attention again
to Captain Ponsberry. At last the captain seemed
fully to comprehend what had occurred. He once
more moved toward the companionway, pistol in
hand.
" You can't get out that way, sir," said Larry.
" They have placed the fore hatch over the stairs."
" And they are armed, too," put in Luke. " Be
careful, sir, or they'll shoot you down."
" And this on my own ship ! " came bitterly from
the master of the Columbia. " That is what I get
for treating the dogs better than they deserve.
Where are Grandon and Vincent ? "
" Either shot down or taken prisoners. They
called for help, and that was the last we heard of
them."
" And are all the others in this dastardly plot? "
THE FIGHT FOR THE SHIP 55
" I reckon they are," answered Luke. " Them
foreigners, Semmel an' Peterson, must have stirred
'em up powerfully."
Still weak from the blow received, Captain Pons-
berry sank down once more on the cabin couch.
There was a lump as big as a walnut on the top of
his head, and he had Jeff bathe it with water and
then with witch-hazel, which made it a trifle more
comfortable.
A short while later came a sudden wild song from
the deck of the schooner, followed by a clinking of
glasses.
" They are treating themselves to grog," said
Luke. " I suppose, now they have the run of things,
they'll drink all they want of the stuff."
" More than likely," returned the captain.
"Well, it is their turn just now — perhaps before
long it will be my turn ! " And he smiled signifi-
cantly.
CHAPTER VII
THE MUTINEERS IN POSSESSION
As my old readers know, both Captain Ponsberry
and Luke Striker were Yankees to the backbone,
and it galled them exceedingly to see the schooner
in the hands of a number of mutineers, and es-
pecially foreigners.
" We've got to git the ship back, no two ways
on it," growled the old tar. " Captain, I'm willin' to
fight to the end, if ye give the word."
" And I'll fight, too," said Larry, promptly.
" Don't you go f o' to fight dem rascallions ! "
whined Jeff. " Yo' will all be killed suah ! "
" I would like to know what has become of Gran-
don and Vincent," came from Captain Ponsberry.
" As we stand now, we are but four to seven or
eight. If we could get Grandon and Vincent to aid
us we would be six against them."
" Perhaps all the hands are not in the mu-
tiny," suggested Larry. " Why not try to sound
them?"
" I was thinking of doing that."
56
THE MUTINEERS IN POSSESSION 57
A little later Captain Ponsberry called up the com-
panionway. At first nobody paid any attention to
him, but presently the hatch was shoved aside a few
inches and Ostag Semmel looked down. Behind
him was Shamhaven.
" Semmel, what does this mean ? " asked the cap-
tain, as calmly as he could.
" It means dat ve haf de ship," replied the Rus-
sian, with a grin.
" You are carrying matters with a very high hand.
Where are Grandon and Vincent ? "
" I not tell you dat."
" We had a right to mutiny," said Shamhaven.
" The grub wasn't fit to eat and was getting worse
every day."
" That's a tale gotten up for the occasion, Sham-
haven, and you know it. Semmel doctored the food
to make you dissatisfied."
" Well, we don't think so," grumbled the sailor.
" I don't think so, and Groot and the others don't
either."
" Has Jack Wilbur joined you ? "
" Certainly he has," was Shamhaven's ready
reply, but his look belied his words.
" Ve are all pount to stick togedder," said Sem-
mel. " You might as veil gif up — der sooner der
petter for you ! "
$8 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" I don't propose to give up, you rascal."
" Ton't you call me a rascals, no ! " shouted Ostag
Semmel. " I vos now der captains, yes, do you
hear? Captain Semmel ! "
" Bosh ! " put in Luke Striker, in disgust. " Why
ye ain't fit to be the skipper 'f a canal-boat ! "
" If you try to navigate the ship you'll sink her on
the rocks," put in Larry.
" You had better consider what you are doing,
Shamhaven," went on the master of the Columbia.
" Remember, if I regain possession of the schooner I
can make it go hard with you."
" You no get dare schooner again, not much ! "
came from Peterson, who had just come up, followed
by Jack Wilbur.
" Wilbur, are you in this ? " demanded the cap-
tain. " If you are, I must confess I didn't think it
of you."
" I ain't goin' to eat poor grub," answered
Wilbur, lamely.
" The grub is all right and you know it. It was
doctored up by Semmel, and I "
" You stop dat talk ! " roared Semmel, and then
he added : " Maybe you gif in after you are goot an'
hungry, hey ? "
" What, do you want to starve us out ? " cried
Larry.
THE MUTINEERS IN POSSESSION 59
" You see — chust vait ! " answered the Russian,
and with this the hatch was again put in place and
the conference came to an end.
Captain Ponsberry was fairly boiling with wrath,
but even so he realized that prudence is often the
better part of valor.
" There is no use of trying a rush to the deck,"
he said. " Those rascals would surely shoot us
down. Just now some of them are in the humor
for anything."
" Perhaps we can do something to-night," sug-
gested Larry.
"They talk about starving us out," said Luke,
" Ain't there nothin' to eat here? "
An inspection was made of the cabin pantry,
which brought to light some preserves, some pickles,
a pot of cheese, and a tin of fancy crackers.
" About enough for one meal," said Captain Pons-
berry, grimly.
"And a pretty slim one at that," added Larry.
" But I say, captain," he added, suddenly, " isn't
there a door leading from the back of the pantry
down into the hold ? "
" There was once — but I had it nailed up years
ago, for we never used it."
" If we can open that, we might get something
from the hold."
60 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" Going to eat machinery ? " demanded Luke.
" No — canned goods, Luke ; I know Jeff had some
placed there, for he didn't have room in his store-
room."
" Dat am a fac'," put in the cook. " I'se got lots
ob t'ings in dat dar hold."
" Then that settles the starving question," said
Captain Ponsberry. " I've got a small saw and a
hammer down here somewhere. We can use them
on the door."
" And that gives me another idea," went on Larry.
" The hatch covering over the companionway be-
longs to the fore hatch. If we can reach that open-
ing from here, why can't we steal on deck when we
get the chance and try to make the mutineers
prisoners ? "
"Eureka!" shouted Luke. "That's the talk,
Larry. Fer your years you've got a wonderfully
long head on ye. We'll make 'em prisoners or
chuck 'em overboard ! "
" The idea is worth considering," said the captain.
" But we must be careful."
A search was made and the hammer, small saw,
and also a chisel were found. Then they cleaned
out the pantry, took down several shelves, and
thus uncovered the small door which had been
nailed up.
THE MUTINEERS IN POSSESSION 6l
" Don't make any noise, or they'll suspect
that we are up to something," said Captain Pons-
berry.
" Let Jeff rattle some dishes," said Larry, and
while he and Luke worked on the door, the cook be-
gan to handle the dishes in such a rough manner that
several were broken. He also tried to sing a couple
of verses of his favorite song, " My Gal Susannah ! "
but his voice was so shaky that the effort was, artisti-
cally, a failure, although it added to the noise, which
was all that was desired.
" They're pretty happy down there," said
Wilbur to Shamhaven, as he listened to the
sounds.
" Oh, they're putting on a front," growled Sham-
haven. " They'll sing a different tune when their
stomachs are empty."
" I don't know about this mutiny," went on the
weak-kneed sailor, nervously.
" Oh, it's all right and you needn't to worry,
Wilbur. If we stick together we'll make a couple of
thousand apiece out of this game."
" But what shall we do if we fall in with a Rus-
sian warship ? "
" Semmel has that all fixed. He'll expose the
captain and state that the Columbia is carrying a
cargo for the Japanese Government, and that he
62 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
took possession in the name of the Czar. With this
war on they won't ask too many questions so long as
they can give the Japs a black eye."
" I see. But supposing we fall in with a Japanese
warship ? "
" Then Semmel is going to turn the command
over to me and I'll tell them that the cargo was
really meant for the Japanese Government but that
Captain Ponsberry, just before we left Manila, sold
out to the Russian agents and was going to Vladi-
vostok. I'll add that we refused to go to the Rus-
sian port after signing for Nagasaki, and all of the
men can back me up. That will put the captain and
his friends in limbo and give us some prize money.
Oh, we'll come out ahead, don't you worry," con-
cluded Shamhaven, confidently.
The day passed slowly and the mutineers held
several meetings, to settle upon just what they were
going to do. But all had been drinking more than
was good for them and the conferences ended in
nothing but talk. Semmel was the accepted leader,
but it was plain to see that Shamhaven objected
strongly to playing a secondary part, and Peterson
also wanted a large " finger in the pie."
As they worked with care, it was a good hour and
a half before Larry and Luke managed to take down
the door leading into the hold. Even when this was
THE MUTINEERS IN POSSESSION 63
done they found on the other side several heavy cases
of machinery almost impossible to budge.
" We can pry those out of the way/' said the cap-
tain.
"A foot or so will do it," returned Larry.
" Then I think I can crawl over the top."
They continued the work, and a little later the
young second mate was able to squeeze his way to
the top of the cargo in that vicinity.
" Be careful, Larry," warned the captain. " If a
case should shift with the ship you might get a
crushed leg. You had better take a candle along."
" I will, sir."
Luke was as anxious to get into the hold as the
young second mate, and he too squeezed his tall,
lank form through the opening. Guided by the
faint light of the candle, they crawled over a num-
ber of cases of machinery and war goods until they
drew close to the middle of the ship.
" Here we are! " cried Larry, in a low voice, and
pointed to some cases of canned goods. " Beans,
corn, tomatoes, salt pork, condensed milk — we won't
starve just yet, Luke."
"An' here are some barrels o' flour," added
the old tar. " No, they can't starve us nohow
now."
They had brought the chisel and hammer along,
64 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
and with extra caution opened some of the cases.
Taking with them all the goods they could carry,
they returned to the cabin.
" This is splendid ! " cried Captain Ponsberry.
" With this stuff on hand we can hold the cabin in-
definitely."
" How is I gwine to cook ? " questioned Jeff.
" Over the two lanterns, Jeff. It will be slow
work, but our time is our own. Luckily there are
pots and tins in the pantry."
" All right, sah."
" Of course, I am hoping that we shall not have to
stay here long," went on the captain. " But it is
best to be prepared."
That those on deck might not see the cooking go-
ing on, one of the staterooms was cleaned out and
Jeff went to work in this. In the meantime Semmel
called down the companionway once more.
" Are you gettin' hungry? " he asked.
" Tell him yes," whispered Larry.
" Why ? " questioned the captain, in an equally
low tone.
" Then he'll think we are getting ready to come
to terms and he won't watch us so closely."
" I see." Captain Ponsberry raised his voice.
" Yes, we are hungry," he called up. " What are
you going to send us, something good ? "
THE MUTINEERS IN POSSESSION 65
"Ve send noddings. Maybe you talk business
soon, hey? " continued the rascally Russian.
" Perhaps."
" How soon ? "
" Well, perhaps to-morrow morning."
"Not before dot, hey?"
" No."
" All right den ; you can go on an' starve so
long! " growled Ostag Semmel, and went away. A
moment later he met Shamhaven.
" What did he say? " asked the latter, anxiously.
" He comes to terms to-morrow ! " answered the
Russian, triumphantly.
CHAPTER VIII
TURNING THE TABLES
THE meal which Jeff prepared put all in the cabin
in better humor, and as soon as it was over a council
of war was held.
It was decided to wait until darkness had set in,
and then try to gain the deck of the ship by way of
the fore hatch. In the meantime the door to the
companionway was to be locked and barred, so that
the mutineers could not attack them very well from
that direction, should a running fight ensue.
As Jeff would be of no use in a struggle he was
delegated to remain in the cabin, to make as much
noise as possible, singing and talking to himself, so
that the mutineers might not suspect what was tak-
ing place.
Each member of the party armed himself both
with a pistol and a cutlass, and Larry led the way as
before, candle in hand. It was easy for Luke to
follow him, but rather difficult for the captain, who
was more portly.
" Reckon as how ye shouldn't have eaten so much,
66
TURNING THE TABLES 67
captain," chuckled the old tar, as he helped Captain
Ponsberry through a particularly narrow place.
" True, Striker," was the answer. " But you be
careful that you don't slip into some slit between
the cases and go out of sight."
They soon gained the spot where the canned goods
had been found. They had now to climb over some
machinery that reached nearly to the top of the hold,
and then over a varied collection of boxes and bar-
rels and bags. On the bags lay some of the old
sails of the ship and several coils of discarded
rope.
They were just approaching the open fore hatch
when they saw a rope ladder let down. Instantly
Larry uttered a warning and put out the light.
" Somebody is coming down," he whispered.
It was the sailor Wilbur, who had been sent to
get some canned goods for cooking purposes. He
came down the rope ladder with a lantern slung over
one arm.
" We'll make him a prisoner ! " cried Captain
Ponsberry. " And let us do it as quietly as we can,
so as not to disturb those on deck."
The others understood and crouched back in the
darkness. Then, as Wilbur passed them, the cap-
tain caught him from the back and Larry clapped
a hand over the fellow's mouth.
68 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
"Oh!" spluttered Wilbur, but that was as far
as he got.
" Not a word ! Not a sound, Wilbur ! " said
Captain Ponsberry, earnestly.
The sailor understood, and being a craven at heart
he almost collapsed. It was an easy matter to take
one of the old ropes and tie his hands behind him.
Then Captain Ponsberry confronted the mutineer,
making a liberal exhibition of his pistol as he
did so.
" Wilbur, answer me truthfully," said the master
of the Columbia. " Are you all in this mutiny or
not? Don't speak above a whisper."
" I ain't in it ! " whined Wilbur. " They dragged
me in, they did. I ain't kicking about grub, or
nothing ! "
"Are all the others in it?"
" Kind of, yes. Groot didn't care much to go in.
Guess he wish he was out of it now."
"What has become of Grandon and Vincent?"
" Both of 'em are prisoners in the brig."
" Are they wounded ? "
" Not much. Grandon had his thumb cut and
Vincent got a kick in the back that lamed him."
" Is anybody guarding them ? "
" I guess not. All of 'em have got to drinking
again. Say, captain, let me out of this fix and I'll
TURNING THE TABLES 09
never go against you again, never," continued Wil-
bur, earnestly.
" We'll see about that later," was the grim
reply.
" Captain Ponsberry, I have a scheme," put in
Larry, and he drew the master of the ship to one
side. " Wilbur is about the same build as myself.
Let me take his coat and cap and go on deck and
down to the brig. If I can release Grandon and
Vincent we'll be sure to knock out the mutiny in no
time."
" It's a dangerous game, Larry."
" Oh, please let me do it ! " pleaded the young
second mate. The hazard was one which appealed
to him strongly.
The matter was talked over for a few minutes
and it was decided to let Larry have his way. Wil-
bur was soon stripped of his coat and the young
second mate donned the garment. Then he took
the mutineer's cap and pulled it as far over his brow
as possible and turned up the coat collar.
" I'll leave the lantern here," he said, and a sec-
ond later was mounting the rope ladder slowly and
cautiously.
With his head on a level with the deck Larry
paused to reconnoiter the situation. He knew ex-
actly how dangerous his mission was and that he
7O AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
was running the risk of being shot. But his life in
our navy had made him bold, and seeing nobody in
sight, he leaped out on deck, and hurried with all
speed to the ladder leading to the brig. Soon he
was in front of the barred door.
" Grandon ! Vincent ! " he called, softly.
" Hullo, who's that ? " came in the voice of the
first mate.
" It is I, Larry. Is Vincent there? "
" Yes. Where did you come from ? "
" The cabin." Larry unbarred the door. " Are
you hurt ? "
" Not much. How are you ? "
" I am all right, and so are the captain and Luke
Striker. They are in the hold, ready to come on
deck. We have made Wilbur a prisoner."
" Good enough," came from the boatswain.
" The rascals ! They ought all to walk the plank ! "
he added, vehemently.
The two men had their hands tied behind them,
but it was an easy matter for Larry to liberate them.
Then each provided himself with a belaying pin, and
all three of the party stole to the deck.
From the forecastle and the cook's galley came
loud talking, showing that the mutineers were mak-
ing themselves at home. One man was trying to
do some cooking.
TURNING THE TABLES 71
" What's keeping Wilbur so long? " he demanded
of the others.
Nobody knew, and one of the crowd, the sailor
named Groot, volunteered to look the missing one
up.
" Let us follow him to the hatch," whispered
Larry. " Perhaps we can make him a prisoner."
" Right you are," answered Tom Grandon.
With caution they came up behind the man, and
just as Groot leaned over the open hatchway, they
caught him tightly.
" Keep silent, Groot ! " said Grandon. " Keep
silent, or we'll throw you overboard."
" Stop ! " roared the mutineer. " Help ! hel "
He got no further, for raising his belaying pin,
Vincent brought it down on the mutineer's head.
Groot had been the one to lame the boatswain's
back and the latter had not forgotten it. Over went
the fellow and sank down as if dead.
" Drop him into the hold," ordered Grandon, and
this was done just as Captain Ponsberry and
Luke Striker appeared at the foot of the rope
ladder.
" Another, eh ? " said the master of the Columbia.
" Good enough ! How are you, Tom ? How are
you, Vincent ? "
" We're ready to fight 'em," answered the first
?2 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
mate. " Come on ! They've got so much liquor
aboard they can't do much to us ! "
" Be careful, I don't want anybody shot if it can
be avoided," responded Captain Ponsberry.
" I think it would be a good plan to dump them
all into the hold," said Larry. " Then we could
nail up that pantry door, put the hatch into place,
and keep them at our mercy."
" If the plan will work, it's a good one," answered
the captain.
One after another they came out on deck, leaving
Wilbur and Groot in the hold. They found the
mutineers equally divided between the galley and the
forecastle. The only man in charge of the schooner
was Conroy, who was at the wheel.
As they advanced upon the forecastle they saw
Semmel come out, accompanied by Peterson.
" There are the ringleaders ! " cried Captain Pons-
berry, and rushing up to them he exclaimed : " Sur-
render, you rascals ! " And he aimed his pistol,
while the others also raised their weapons.
The Russian and his companion were taken com-
pletely by surprise, and before they could draw any
weapons of their own it was too late. Grandon
tripped one up and fell upon him, and then Vincent
and Larry tripped up the other. There was a brief
scuffle, the exchange of several blows which did little
TURNING THE TABLES 73
damage, and in a trice Semmel and Peterson were
thrown down into the hold bodily, and the ladder
was hauled up out of their reach.
•" Put that hatch over the opening," cried Cap-
tain Ponsberry to Larry. " And then go into the
cabin pantry and nail up that door. Be quick about
it, or they may get out ! "
" Aye, aye, sir ! " cried the young second mate,
and ran off with all speed. The hatch was large and
heavy, but the excitement lent him strength and he
dragged it forward and threw it over the hatch-
way.
" Stop dat ! " roared Semmel, in a drunken voice,
but Larry paid no attention. His next movement
was toward the cabin.
"Don't yo' tech me!" roared Jeff, in alarm.
" Oh, it am yo' ! " he added, as he recognized Larry.
" How am de battle gwine? "
" We've got 'em on the run — four are prisoners in
the hold," was Larry's reply. " Get me that box of
nails, Jeff — I must put that door back as it was ! "
" Yes, sah; yes, sah ! " answered the cook, eagerly,
and brought forth the nails in question. Then he
helped to put the door into place, and held it while
Larry nailed the barrier. The job was just com-
pleted when the young second mate heard voices
from the hold.
74 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" Hi, dare, you let us out," came from Peterson.
" Ve vill mak it right, yes ! "
" You keep quiet," ordered Larry, and would say
no more. Against the door he and Jeff placed sev-
eral trunks and boxes taken from the staterooms
opening off of the cabin.
During this time the party led by Captain Pons-
berry had attacked the balance of the mutineers.
There was a brief fight and Shamhaven got a cutlass
cut on the knee. But then the men surrendered,
and one after another was made to drop down into
the hold, and the hatch was shut and battened down.
The only man who was not thus made a prisoner
was Conroy, who begged at once to be forgiven.
"They got me to drink, captain," he pleaded.
" I didn't know what I was doing. Forgive it, and
I'll be the best man you ever had on board."
" Can I depend upon you, Conroy?" asked Cap-
tain Ponsberry, sternly.
" You can, sir — I give you my word on it."
" You won't try to help the mutineers ? "
" No, sir ; no, sir ! "
" Very well then, I'll try you. But, remember,
if you try any dirty work it will go hard with you.
Now tell me, was Wilbur in favor of this mutiny? "
" No, sir, he was not. Semmel forced him into
it"
TURNING THE TABLES 75
"What of the others. Who were the ring-
leaders?"
" Semmel and Peterson and Shamhaven. The
others didn't want to do anything but complain about
the grub," answered Conroy, and then told the par-
ticulars of the mutiny from beginning to end.
CHAPTER IX
CLOSE TO A WATERSPOUT
IT was decided to leave the mutineers in the hold
undisturbed until morning. This done, those who
had been hurt in the scrimmage had their wounds at-
tended to, and then Jeff was set to work to prepare
a good meal for all the loyal party. The galley
was in a state of disorder, but this counted for
nothing, and Jeff soon had matters straightened
out.
After so much excitement nobody thought of re-
tiring. Luke was stationed over the fore hatch, to
give warning of any attempt on the part of the
mutineers to regain their liberty. He was armed
and he threatened to " blow the hull head off " of
anybody who dared to show himself or make a noise.
As a consequence the mutineers did nothing. Two
made their way to the nailed-up door, but finding
they could not open it, gave up the attempt as a bad
job.
As a punishment for his misdeeds Conroy was
kept at the wheel during the whole of the night. He
76
CLOSE TO A WATERSPOUT 77
was willing enough to do the extra work if only the
captain would forgive him for his actions. The
master of the ship questioned him closely, and in the
end reached the conclusion that only Semmel, Peter-
son, and Shamhaven were the leaders in the attempt
to seize the ship and that the others had followed
after them like so many sheep.
" I am glad to hear this," he said to Grandon and
Larry. " I think after I read them a strong lecture
they'll behave themselves."
" But we shall have to watch 'em closely," said
the first mate.
" What will you do with Semmel, Peterson, and
Shamhaven?" asked Larry.
" Put them in irons and keep them there until the
end of the trip. When we reach Nagasaki they can
take their choice of leaving or of being kicked off the
ship. If they raise a row I'll hand them over to
the authorities."
" You ought to have them locked up."
" True, lad ; but with this war on hand the courts
won't want to bother with such a case."
It was not until nine o'clock in the morning that
Captain Ponsberry had the forward hatch raised
once more. Those below were almost dying for
fresh air and water.
" I want Wilbur to come up," he said.
7o AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" Can't we have some water? " demanded Sham-
haven.
" Yes, if you'll behave yourselves," was the short
answer.
There was a babble of voices, but the master of
the ship paid no attention. Each man who had been
thrown below was unarmed, so there was no danger
of any shooting. Presently Wilbur came up the
rope ladder thrown to him, looking sheepish
enough.
" What have you to say for yourself? " demanded
the captain, when Wilbur threw himself on his
knees.
" Don't count it against me, cap' ! " he groaned.
" I didn't want to go into it, I tell you ! I didn't
want to go in ! "
" If I forgive you, will you give me your word
to behave yourself ? "
"Yes, sir!"
"You won't do any more underhanded
work?"
" You can shoot me if I do, captain."
" Very well ; I'll remember that. Now go for-
ward and help put the ship in good order. Larry,
set him to work, and see that he does just what you
tell him." And Wilbur went off, with the young
second mate following, thanking his stars that he
CLOSE TO A WATERSPOUT 79
had not been swung to the yardarm, for mutiny on
the high seas is a capital offense.
One by one the mutineers were allowed to come
on deck, until only Semmel, Peterson, and Sham-
haven remained below. Those to come up pleaded
to be forgiven and promised to obey orders in the
future and let the captain run the ship to suit him-
self.
During the night, Groot had had a bitter quarrel
with Semmel, and the Russian appeared presently
with a black eye and two of his front teeth loose.
He was promptly put in irons, and the handcuffing
of Peterson and Shamhaven followed.
" I have allowed the other men their liberty be-
cause you three led them into this affair," said
Captain Ponsberry to the trio of rascals. " I
intend to keep you in irons until the end of the
trip/'
At this there was a loud complaint, and the three
made all manner of protestations, but the master of
the Columbia was obdurate, and at last threatened
to throw them into the hold again. This quieted
them for the time being, and after being given a
square meal and a drink of water, they were marched
off to the brig, which was cleaned of everything else
for their accommodation.
Fortunately for the Columbia the weather re-
8O AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
mained fair, so that the loss of the prisoners was
not felt when it came to handling the schooner.
Those who had mutinied were only too glad to get
back into Captain Ponsberry's good graces and they
did whatever was required with an alacrity which
was as astonishing as it was gratifying. They ate
whatever was set before them, and soon reached
the conclusion that the food was really better than
they deserved.
" We were fools to follow Semmel," said Wilbur ;
and Conroy and some others fully agreed with him.
But though it now looked as if the men could be
trusted, Captain Ponsberry determined to keep his
eyes on them. Vincent was placed at the head of
one watch and Luke at the head of the other, so
that, with one or the other of the mates, the deck
was always guarded by at least two persons that
could be depended upon.
The captain had hoped for favorable breezes fol-
lowing the heavy storm, but these did not come,
and day after day passed with the old Columbia
making slow progress toward Nagasaki. Formosa
was passed during a bit of thick weather, so that
nothing was seen of that island. Then the sun came
out again, hotter than ever, so that Larry was glad
to keep in the shade as much as possible.
" It's not so exciting as it was a few days ago,"
CLOSE TO A WATERSPOUT 8 1
remarked Luke to Larry one day, when both were
seated in the shade of the forecastle.
" I am glad that mutiny is at an end," answered
Larry. " It's a great wonder that somebody wasn't
killed or seriously wounded."
" The men didn't have their hearts in the rumpus,
thet's why, Larry. If they had really meant busi-
ness— well, I reckon some on us wouldn't be here
now to tell the tale."
" I think Semmel meant business."
" Yes, he's a heap sight worse nor any o' the
others."
" It was a mistake to take him on board. I tell
you, a captain can't be too careful who he puts in his
forecastle."
" Well, you know the reason — those other hands
gettin' sick at Manila. But I can tell you, I'd
rather have a crew of Americans any day."
" They are hard to get."
"True fer you." The old Yankee tar heaved a
sigh. " The old days are gone, sure enough. My !
my ! what times we used to have, when we'd go out,
every man a-knowin' every other man on the ship,
an' all about him, too! Then it was like a big
family settin' sail. Now, if you go on a new ship
ye don't know nobody an' nobody knows nobody
else."
82 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" I guess you expect to live and die a sailor, don't
you, Luke ? "
" Don't know but what I do, unless somebody
leaves me money enough to live like a millionaire,"
and the old tar grinned.
Day after day passed and the Columbia kept on
her course, making as straight a passage for Naga-
saki as possible. One day there would be a fair
breeze and the next a dead calm.
" This is unusual weather for this quarter of the
globe," said Captain Ponsberry to Larry. " Like
as not it will end in another hurricane."
" In that case what will you do, release Semmel
and the others ? "
" I may release Peterson and Shamhaven, but not
Semmel, for he was the real ringleader."
There were strong signs of a storm in the air that
night, but they brought forth nothing, and on the
following morning the sun came up as full and bright
as before. The breeze came by fits and starts, from
first one direction and then another, and the man
at the wheel had all he could do to keep the
schooner to her course. Sails were shifted half
a dozen times, but without making any improve-
ment.
" The weather is certainly queer," said Grandon.
" Puts me in mind of the time I was caught in a
CLOSE TO A WATERSPOUT 83
tidal wave in the South Seas. Before the wave
struck us we had just such cuttings-up."
" I trust we don't strike a tidal wave," answered
Larry. "If it was high enough it might swamp
us."
" True ; but when you're on the deep blue sea,
lad, you've got to take whatever comes," replied
the first mate, solemnly.
Dinner was a quiet affair for all on board, and
shortly after the repast Larry went to the forward
deck, to have another chat with Luke. While the
two were talking they were joined by Captain Pons-
berry ; and soon the three were conversing about old
times once more.
" Do you remember the swim we once took in the
Pacific ? " said Larry to Luke. " The time the saw-
fish smashed the boat and came after us ? "
" Reckon I do," was the Yankee tar's response.
'* We had a lively swim fer it, didn't we? "
" And the time we visited the island and you
turned the turtles? " went on Larry. " And do you
remember that snake that chased us into the water ? "
" I do, Larry. Tell you what, we've had our
share of adventures. When Admiral Dewey
What is it, captain ? "
Luke broke off short and looked at Captain Pons-
berry inquiringly. The master of the Columbia was
84 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
gazing over the port bow in an earnest, puzzled
fashion.
" Do you see that little black cloud, Striker? "
" I do, sir ! " And now Luke became all atten-
tion and so did Larry. " Kind o' funny lookin',
ain't it?"
" It is odd," answered the captain. " Do you
see how it seems to be dancing around in the sky? "
"Is it a cloud?" questioned Larry. "If so, I
never saw its like before."
." I'll take a look at it through my glass," went on
the captain, and sent a sailor for the article.
The cloud came swiftly closer and they heard a
most unusual roaring and hissing. Then of a sud-
den the cloud seemed to dip down into the sea.
When it came up, the waters of the ocean followed,
and there loomed up before those on the ship a
waterspout ten or fifteen feet thick.
" A waterspout ! " cried half a dozen in concert.
" And a mighty powerful one, too," said the cap-
tain. " I trust it don't come this way."
" It is coming this way ! " yelled Larry. " Look !
look!"
The young second mate was right, the waterspout
appeared to be headed directly for the schooner.
But then it shot off to the westward, churning the
water into a foam behind it.
CLOSE TO A WATERSPOUT 8$
" It's going away," murmured Luke, when once
more the waterspout made a curve and then shot
directly toward them. It was off the port bow and
less than a hundred feet away. It looked as if the
old Columbia was surely doomed!
CHAPTER X
SOMETHING ABOUT WAR AND FIGHTING SHIPS
" IT'S going to strike the ship ! "
" It will cut us to pieces ! "
" Throw the schooner over on the other tack ! "
These and several other cries rang out on the
deck of the Columbia. All felt their hearts come
up into their throats as the roaring, swirling mass
of water came closer and closer, until the spray
drenched them completely. The ocean was churned
into a white foam and the wind seemed to suck and
blow in all directions at once.
But, just as it looked as if the schooner would be
buried beneath a veritable mountain of water, the
waterspout took another curve and slid away, along
the side of the ship and off the stern. The man at
the wheel came close to being carried overboard by
the deluge he received and the Columbia bobbed
up and down like a cork. But in another mo-
ment the waterspout was an eighth of a mile
distant.
" What a — a narrow escape," faltered Larry,
86
SOMETHING ABOUT WAR 87
when he felt able to speak. " I thought we were
bound for the bottom sure ! "
" Thet's the closest I ever was to any water-
spout," came from Luke, as he wiped his wet brow.
" Reckon we can thank Providence we ain't in Davy
Jones' locker this minit ! "
Captain Ponsberry did not say much, but kept his
eyes fixed on the waterspout, which was making fan-
tastic curves across the bosom of the Pacific. At
times it was close by and then it would go half a
mile or more away. It was a fascinating scene, full
of dread, and gave more than one onlooker a chill
down his backbone.
" I wish it would go away completely," went on
Larry.
But this was not to be. The waterspout kept
within sight for a good half-hour, although it did
not come near them again. At last it grew less and
less, off to the southwestward, and finally vanished
altogether. The glass was used in that direction,
but nothing save a clear horizon could be located.
" We are clear of it at last," said Captain Pons-
berry, and breathed a long sigh of relief.
" Waterspouts are mighty dangerous things,"
said Grandon, after the scare was over. " When I
was on board of the brig Ben Franklin we ran into
a spout off the coast of Brazil, and it knocked off
88 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
the bow and the forward rail and nearly sank
us."
" I met one once, off the coast of Cuba," said the
captain. " That went ashore and tore up the trees
like so many weeds for a hundred feet around. A
waterspout is nothing to be fooled with, I can tell
you."
On the day following the appearance of the water-
spout the weather changed. There was a slight
storm and then a stiff breeze sprang up which was
cheering to all on board. Every stitch of canvas
on the Columbia was spread and the schooner bowled
along right merrily.
" I'd like to know how this war is going on, and
how Ben and Gilbert are faring," said Larry to
Captain Ponsberry. " A whole lot may have hap-
pened since we left Manila."
" Well, you'll probably get word from your
brother when you reach Nagasaki, lad; and we'll
get word from Captain Pennington, too."
" I hope neither of them has been wounded."
" So do I ; but when one goes to the front he has
got to put up with the fortunes of war. Being a
soldier of fortune, as it is called, is no baby busi-
ness."
" Do you suppose the Japs are continuing to
bombard Port Arthur?"
SOMETHING ABOUT WAR 89
" More than likely — if the place hasn't fallen into
their hands. They want to make sure of their foot-
ing in lower Manchuria, and they can never do that
so long as the Russians hold a single seaport down
there."
" I suppose Russia has a pretty good-sized navy
as well as an army? "
" Yes, Larry, one of the largest navies in the
world. But their fighting ships are no better than
the ships of Japan. You see, the Japanese navy is
not near as old as the navy of Russia. Almost all
of the ships are of the up-to-date types. Most of
them have been built since the war between Japan
and China in 1894 and 1895."
" That would make them only about ten years
old."
" Exactly, and I've been told that some of the
ships in the Russian navy are twenty and thirty
years old. More than this, all of the Japanese guns
are of the latest pattern — just as they are on our
new warships."
" I'd like to go aboard of a Japanese war-
ship," cried the young second mate, enthusiasti-
cally.
" Want to see if it's as good as it was aboard of
the Olympia, eh?"
" Yes, sir. Of course the Olympia was old, espe-
9O AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
daily alongside of the Brooklyn, on which my
brother Walter served in Cuban waters, but even
so she was a bang-up fighting machine. If she
hadn't been she wouldn't have done her share in
sinking that Spanish fleet in Manila Bay."
" Well, you may have a chance to go aboard of a
Japanese ship while we stop at Nagasaki. There
must be a number of them at that port, coaling up
and taking war supplies aboard."
" How long do you think it will be before we
reach that port ? "
" That will depend entirely upon the wind, as you
know. If we get just what we need we may reach
there inside of four or five days," answered Cap-
tain Ponsberry.
As Peterson and Shamhaven were now behaving
themselves they were allowed to come out of the
brig and do some work on the deck every morning
and afternoon. Both begged the captain to forgive
them, but the master of the Columbia would promise
nothing.
" You went into this with your eyes wide open,"
he said. " Now you can line up and take your
medicine."
Semmel was exceedingly bitter at not being al-
lowed his liberty for at least a few hours a day and
said he would denounce the captain at the first op-
SOMETHING ABOUT WAR 91
portunity. But Captain Ponsberry soon cut him
short.
" You keep a civil tongue in your head," he said,
sternly. " Unless you do, I'll put you down on
hard-tack and water." And thereupon Semmel be-
came sullenly silent.
Towards evening of the day upon which Larry
had the conversation about warships with Captain
Ponsberry a Chinese junk, heavily laden with grass-
covered boxes, was passed. Nobody on board could
speak English, so the hail that was sent over the
water brought no results.
" We are getting closer to the coast shipping,"
said the master of the Columbia. " I suppose we'll
meet quite a few vessels from now on."
During the night an unexpected gale came up
and the schooner was blown far out of her course.
The gale came from the westward, so the vessel was
blown to the east.
" This will make the trip a day or two longer,"
grumbled Grandon, after the gale had spent itself.
" Yes, but as we didn't lose a spar or a rag of
canvas we can be thankful that it is no worse," re-
sponded Larry, who was always ready to look on
the bright side.
The gale subsided after a blow of twenty-four
hours and then the bow of the Columbia was once
9* AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
more set towards her destination. Only a few knots
had been covered when the lookout reported a ves-
sel in sight.
" It's a steamer ! " cried Larry, for the smoke
from the craft's funnels was plainly to be seen.
" Maybe she's a warship," returned Tom Gran-
don, who was beside him. " If so, I hope she's a
Japanese."
The steamer was coming along at a good rate of
speed and soon they made her out to be a British
vessel. She was a " tramp," that is, a vessel go-
ing from port to port, picking up whatever cargo
can be found.
" Ahoy, there ! " cried Captain Ponsberry, as the
tramp slowed up. "What ship is that?"
" The Lord Duffield" was the answer. " What
ship is that?"
" The Columbia."
" Where are you bound ? "
" For Nagasaki. And you ? "
" For Hong-Kong."
A little more talk followed, and the captain of the
Lord Dufheld vouchsafed the information that he
had sighted a Russian warship the day before.
" A warship ! " murmured Larry.
" Which way was she bound ? " asked Captain
Ponsberry, anxiously.
SOMETHING ABOUT WAR 93
" I can't tell you. She stopped us and asked a
few questions and then slipped away in the dark-
ness."
" What warship was she ? "
" The Pocastra, from Vladivostok. I think she
used to be in the merchant service and was built
over for the navy."
The captain of the British steamer could give no
further information, and so resumed his course, and
the master of the Columbia did likewise.
" Ain't very nice news, is it? " said Tom Grandon.
" It's very unpleasant news," returned Captain
Ponsberry, with a shrug of his shoulders.
" What are you going to do about it? "
" What can we do, Tom ? Trust to luck that we
get into Nagasaki harbor, or some other port, in
safety."
" We'll have to keep a sharp lookout for any-
thing that looks like a warship, unless, of course,
she flies a Japanese flag."
Word was passed around to those who could be
trusted, and all day long one of the mates and a
foremast hand were kept on the lookout, taking turns
at looking through the best glass the schooner pos-
sessed.
" This is almost as exciting as being in a war,"
said Larry, when he was on duty with Luke.
94 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" Don't you know how we looked for the Spanish
ships?"
" Yes, lad ; but if we sight a Russian warship it
will be small fighting we'll do, to my way of think-
ing."
"Oh, we won't be able to fight at all. We'll
simply have to rely on our wits to keep us out of be-
ing gobbled up as a prize of war," responded the
young second mate.
CHAPTER XI
AN ORDER TO LAY-TO
WHEN taking on his cargo at Manila, Captain
Ponsberry had considered the possibility of being
captured by a Russian warship, and had talked the
matter over with the agents of the Richmond Im-
porting Company and with a Japanese official who
was doing business on the sly in the Philippines.
The Japanese Government was willing to pay for
the cargo, whether it was delivered or not — pre-
suming it was " gobbled up " by the Russians, but
was not willing to pay for the ship if the vessel was
taken as a prize of war.
" That is a risk you must take yourself," said the
Japanese official. " We are willing to pay a high
price for the cargo — we cannot do more." And
so the risk — so far as the schooner went — was di-
vided equally between the Richmond Importing
Company and Captain Ponsberry and the other own-
ers of the Columbia.
As nearly the captain's whole wealth was tied up
in his share of the schooner, he was naturally anx-
95
90 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
ious to make a safe trip, and he often came on deck
to aid the lookouts in watching for the possible ap-
pearance of an enemy.
" If you see the least thing that looks suspicious,
tell me at once," was his order, and it was strictly
obeyed. As a consequence they ran away from two
steamers that afternoon and another steamer the
next morning — all too far off to show exactly what
they were.
" This isn't bringing us much nearer to port,"
said Larry to Cal Vincent, who was using the glass
at the time. " I don't believe we have made a
dozen knots since yesterday."
" Well, the old man is a bit nervous," responded
the boatswain, in a low voice. " And I don't blame
him. It's no small matter to lose your craft and be
thrown into prison in the bargain."
" Would they dare to throw us into prison ? "
" To be sure, — if they could prove that we were
aiding the Japs."
" Well, they'll have hard work proving that."
An hour went by and it began to grow misty.
Then came a call from the bow.
"Sail in sight!"
" What is it ? " demanded the captain instantly.
" A big steamer o' some sort."
Captain Ponsberry ran forward and took the glass.
AN ORDER TO LAY-TO 97
For fully two minutes he did not speak and then he
drew a long breath and put down the glass.
" I'm afraid she's a warship," he exclaimed, and
his voice sounded unnatural.
" A warship ! " echoed Larry. " Will you let me
look?"
He did so, and it was not long before he could
make out the approaching craft quite clearly.
" Well ? " demanded Grandon, who knew that
Larry's eyes were unusually strong.
" I reckon the captain is right."
"A warship?"
" Yes, not a very large affair, but still a warship.
I shouldn't be surprised if she was the converted
vessel the Lord Duffield sighted."
"Just what I think," put in Captain Ponsberry.
" We've got to do our best to show her a clean pair
of heels."
" The mist may help us to run away," suggested
Grandon.
" Let us hope so."
Necessary orders were given, and soon the Co-
lumbia swung around on another tack, so that she
had the large vessel on her starboard quarter. But
this movement was evidently noted by the stranger,
and the latter headed directly for the schooner once
more.
98 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" She is after us, that is positive," said Captain
Ponsberry.
" There is a bank of mist over to the northward,"
returned Larry. " Why not run into that ? "
" Well spoken, lad; we'll do it, and as soon as the
mist hides us we can go over on the other tack and
throw her off the scent."
The mist the young second mate had mentioned
was nearly a quarter of a mile away and it was a
question whether they could reach it before the
stranger came up. But fortune favored those on
the schooner. The mist rolled toward them, and in
less than two minutes they were hidden as com-
pletely as could be desired.
" Now to get entirely out of the way," exclaimed
Captain Ponsberry, and lost not a moment in having
the sails shifted and a new course set. Through
the mist they heard the other vessel steaming around
noisily and did their best to keep as far away as pos-
sible from the sound.
All during that evening and the night to follow
the Columbia kept to her new course. This was
taking her away from Nagasaki, but this could not
he helped. The captain said if it became absolutely
necessary he would run into some other Japanese
port.
When daybreak came the mist was as thick as
AN ORDER TO LAY-TO 99
ever. But there were signs that it would not last
much longer, and by nine o'clock the sun was strug-
gling to come through the clouds. Nearly every-
body was on deck, for they realized that a fatal
moment might be at hand.
"There she is!"
The cry came from half a dozen throats simultane-
ously. There, on the port bow, loomed up the
stranger, not an eighth of a mile away. That she
was a warship there was no longer any doubt, for
her forward guns were plainly to be seen.
" We're caught now ! " muttered Tom Grandon.
" Not yet ! " cried the captain, and gave orders to
throw the Columbia over on a new course. But
scarcely had this movement been made when there
was a puff of smoke from the warship, a report, and
a shot flew in front of the schooner's bow.
" There's our order to lay-to ! " ejaculated Larry.
" Whoever she is, she means business."
As the Columbia did not stop, another shot was
fired, this time just grazing the bow. Seeing there
was no help for it, Captain Ponsberry gave the
necessary orders, and down came one sail after
another.
As this was done the warship swung around and
then those on the schooner saw that she flew the
flag of Russia.
IOO AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" A Russian warship ! " ejaculated half a dozen.
" This looks to me as if the jig was up," mur-
mured Tom Grandon.
As quickly as it could be done, Captain Pons-
berry assembled his men on deck.
" Men," he said, briefly, " the officers on board
of that warship wish to find out what they can about
us. If you are asked questions say nothing- more
than that you shipped for the voyage to Nagasaki
and San Francisco, and that you know nothing about
the cargo. Do you understand ? "
" Aye, aye, sir," came from those who were
listening.
•" I must depend upon you to help save the ship.
If the Columbia is suspected of being in the employ
of the Japanese Government, or of carrying a cargo
for that nation, she will be taken as a prize of war
and we'll go to a Russian prison most likely."
" I don't want to go to no Russian prison ! "
cried out Wilbur, his face turning pale. " I ain't
done nothing wrong ! "
" Then keep your tongue from wagging too much,
Wilbur," answered the master of the schooner,
grimly.
" There ain't no use o' fighting, is there? " asked
Groot.
" Fighting? " came from Tom Grandon. " What
AN ORDER TO LAY-TO IOI
could the old Columbia do against a man-o'-war?
Why, they'd blow us sky high in no time ! "
" No, there is absolutely no use of attempting to
fight," answered Captain Ponsberry. " Our only
hope lays in convincing them that they have no right
to stop us."
The hands were dismissed and sent forward, and
Captain Ponsberry hurried below, to burn certain
papers and secrete others. This was in accordance
with the orders received from the agents of the
Richmond Importing Company at Manila.
In the meantime the Russian warship had come
to a stop in mid-ocean and now a small boat was
lowered, containing a small crew, a coxswain, and a
Russian naval officer. At the same time a signal
was hoisted which meant that the officer was coming
on board of the schooner.
" Unless I miss my guess, this looks rather black
for us," said Larry, to Tom Grandon.
" I agree with you, Larry," responded the first
mate. " But we've got to take our medicine, no
matter how bitter it is."
" If only that mist had held on to-day ! We
might have slipped by that warship nicely."
" I only hope the old man fixes up his papers so
that he can show a clean bill of health," went on
Grandon. " You see, if they can't actually prove
IO2 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
something against us, they won't dare to touch us.
They know what Old Glory means, and Russia has
no desire just now to get into trouble with Uncle
Sam."
" The worst of it is, our cargo may look too sus-
picious to them. Under ordinary circumstances
they know that the Columbia wouldn't be carrying
such a line of goods in these waters."
" That's true, too."
" Besides that, they may have had an agent at
Nagasaki and at Manila spying on us. They may
know just what is being done. The Czar's follow-
ers are mighty slick, I can tell you."
Captain Ponsberry now came on deck and gave
quick orders that the sailors should be lined up, to
receive the visitor in a befitting manner.
" A little goose grease may help," he drawled,
with a knowing glance at Grandon and Larry.
The foremast hands did not know much about
lining up, but took the places assigned to them, on
the forward deck. Over the side a rope ladder was
thrown, and then Captain Ponsberry, Tom Grandon,
and Larry awaited the arrival of the Russian naval
officer with keen interest
CHAPTER XII
TAKEN AS A PRIZE OF WAR
SLOWLY but surely the small boat came closer to
the schooner. She rode the long swells of the Pa-
cific with full grace, and Larry could not help but
admire the long, sturdy strokes of the jackies, as
they bent to their task.
" I don't know but that they can handle a small
boat as well as our own jackies," said Larry.
" Why shouldn't they ? Russian naval training
ought to be first-class," answered Tom Grandon.
" They have been at it longer than Uncle Sam."
" True, but that doesn't always count. Spain had
been at it longer than we had, too, but when it came
to war we beat her in double-quick order."
As the small boat came closer they saw that the
jackies were mostly men of middle age. But the
coxswain was younger and so was the naval officer,
who was gazing rather anxiously toward the
schooner, as if wondering what the result of his mis-
sion would be.
" Wonder if that chap can talk English ? " queried
103
IO4 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
the first mate. " If he can't the old man will be up
a tree, for none of us can talk Russian."
" I reckon Peterson and Semmel can talk it," an-
swered Larry. " But we don't want either of those
rascals to open his mouth."
At last the small boat came up alongside of the
Columbia. It was no easy matter to catch the rope
ladder without getting bumped, but it was success-
fully accomplished, and then the Russian officer lost
no time in coming on board. He at once saluted,
and Captain Ponsberry and his mates did the same,
and the sailors in the background did likewise.
"What ship is this?" asked the Russian naval
officer, after a few necessary formalities were at an
end.
" The American schooner Columbia," answered
Captain Ponsberry.
" Would you mind telling me for what port you
are bound? " went on the naval officer, who could
speak fairly good English.
" We are bound for San Francisco, with a stop-
over at Nagasaki."
" Ah ! What sort of a cargo are you carrying to
Nagasaki ? "
" One belonging to the firm for which the Co-
lumbia is in commission."
" The name of the firm, please ? "
TAKEN AS A PRIZE OF WAR 10$
" The Richmond Importing Company."
" Ah ! " said the naval officer again, and looked
slightly displeased. As it happened he had a brother
in the army at Port Arthur, and had heard of the
doings of Gilbert Pennington at that place, and of
how the young American had accused certain Rus-
sians of trying to cheat the company he represented.
" What warship do you come from? " demanded
Captain Ponsberry, feeling that he had an equal
right to ask questions.
" The auxiliary cruiser, Pocastra, of the Russian
navy," answered the naval officer, politely.
" And where are you bound ? " went on Captain
Ponsberry, bluntly.
" That, sir, is a question only our commander,
Captain Titorsky, can answer."
" It's queer you are steaming around in Japanese
waters."
" Perhaps so." The Russian naval officer smiled
in a knowing way. " Captain Ponsberry, I am
sorry, but I think I shall have to inspect your
papers."
Captain Ponsberry drew himself up, resolved to
put on as bold a front as possible.
" This is an American ship, sir."
" Granted, but I have my orders," returned the
naval officer, coldly.
IO6 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" If I refuse to let you inspect the papers ? "
The young Russian officer shrugged his shoulders.
" We shall be under the painful necessity of com-
pelling you to show them."
" You threaten me — an American captain ! "
" There is no help for it — I am simply obeying
orders. We inspect all ships that we find in this
vicinity."
" Do you know I can make you pay dearly for
this outrage? "
" You cannot call it an outrage. You are in
Japanese waters, Japan and Russia are at war.
You knew that before you came into these waters.
Am I to see the papers or not ? "
The commander of the Columbia knew that the
Russian naval officer spoke the truth. Yet he made
one more effort.
" Very well ; I will show my papers, but I shall
insist upon you signing a paper that your ship held
us up."
" You can send the paper to my ship for such a
signature from my captain," said the Russian, eva-
sively.
By this time four of the jackies of the small boat
had come on board. All were armed and they lined
up at the rail, close to the rope ladder. They were
good-natured sailors and grinned broadly at the
TAKEN AS A PRIZE OF WAR IO/
hands on the Columbia. Not one could speak a
word of English, so conversation with them was im-
possible.
Captain Ponsberry led the way to the cabin of
the Columbia and the young Russian officer fol-
lowed. Getting out such papers as had been pre-
pared for the occasion, the master of the schooner
passed them over.
" These are correct so far as they go," said the
Russian, after an examination lasting ten minutes
had been made. " But " he paused. " You
have no further papers ? "
" Those are my papers, sir," answered Captain
Ponsberry, briefly.
" Then I will look at a specified list of your
cargo."
" I haven't such a list," was the answer, which
was true, as the list had been burnt up just a short
while before.
At this statement the young Russian frowned.
" Every ship carries such a list."
" Still, I haven't any."
" In that case, I shall have to order an inspection
of the cargo."
" Sir, you are going too far ! " said Captain Pons-
berry, sternly, yet he knew he had no right to ex-
pect anything else.
IO8 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" If I am going too far, I am able to take the con-
sequences," returned the Russian, who was acting
strictly under orders.
"Very well, sir; you can look the cargo over,"
answered Captain Ponsberry. " But I shall hold
Russia accountable for the outrage."
The Russian naval officer bowed and hastened up
to the deck. He spoke in his native tongue to one
of the jackies who carried several small flags under
his arm. At once the Jackie began to wig-wag to
the warship for further instructions.
" Search the ship," came back the order, and in
a few minutes more another small boat left the side
of the Pocastra, containing an officer and a crew of
eight.
" We are in for it now, that is certain," observed
Larry. " They are not going to let us go until they
are sure we are O. K."
The second boat was soon alongside of the
schooner, and the officer in charge and four men
came up on the deck and joined the other Russians
already there. An earnest conversation was held
between the two officers.
" We'll take a general look at the cargo," said the
one who had just arrived. " It will not do to go too
far — in case we find everything as it should be. We
want no trouble with the Yankee government."
TAKEN AS A PRIZE OF WAR 1 09
Captain Ponsberry was asked to have the mizzen
hatch opened, and this work was done by Luke
Striker and several others. Then two of the Rus-
sian sailors were sent below, and one of the officers
went along.
In the meantime, Peterson, unknown to anybody
on board, had slipped off to the brig. Here he
found Ostag Semmel in solitary confinement.
" Semmel, a Russian warship is close at hand,"
he said, hurriedly. " An officer and some men have
just boarded us."
" Release me, Peterson ! " returned the Russian
sailor. " Release me and I will show Captain
Ponsberry what I can do ! "
" You will not get me into trouble? " questioned
Peterson, anxiously.
" No. Quick — I am sure we can make money
out of this."
With an iron bar, Peterson pried off the lock
which had been put on the door of the brig, and
drew back the bolt. Then Semmel came out of his
prison, with his hands linked together.
As he was making his way to the stern deck Larry
caught sight of him.
" Stop ! " he called out, in alarm, realizing what
Semmel might do. " Stop, Semmel 1 " and he ran
to capture the rascal.
HO AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" Get out da vay ! " roared the Russian and aimed
a blow at Larry's head. But the young second mate
dodged and then caught the Russian by the legs,
hurling him flat on his breast. But now Peterson
came behind and gave Larry a vicious kick in the
side, which made the youth let go his hold.
"What's the row there?" called out Captain
Ponsberry, and looked much disturbed to see the
escaped prisoner. " Put him back where he came
from!"
"Help!" yelled Semmel, in Russian. "Help,
in the name of the Czar! I am a Russian subject!
This ship is in the employ of the Japanese Govern-
ment ! "
" He speaks the truth ! " called out Peterson, also
in Russian. " Help us and protect us and we will
prove it ! " And he ran forward to where the Rus-
sian officer on deck was standing.
" You are Russians ? " asked the officer, quickly.
" We are."
" Then I shall certainly assist you." He raised
his voice. " Let that man go ! " And he pointed
at Semmel, now surrounded by Larry, Luke, and
Cal Vincent.
The latter words were uttered in English, so all
of our friends understood them. The two sailors
looked inquiringly at the young second mate.
TAKEN AS A PRIZE OF WAR III
" He is nothing but a mutineer," said Larry.
" We locked him up for it. He ought to have been
strung up on the yardarm," he added, bitterly.
By this time Captain Ponsberry was on the scene,
and those who had gone below were summoned on
deck once more. The captain glared at Semmel,
who lost no time in shrinking behind the Russian
officers for protection.
" I can prove the cargo on this ship belongs to the
Japanese Government," said Ostag Semmel. " My
friend can prove it, too," he added, pointing to
Peterson. " It is true we tried to seize the ship —
to take her to Vladivostok, or some other Russian
port, as a prize."
" This is assuredly interesting," said the leading
Russian officer. " Tell me your tale in full."
Despite Captain Ponsberry's protests Semmel told
his story in his own way, and Peterson corroborated
it in every detail. Then Shamhaven, thinking to
curry favor, came forward.
" They tell the strict truth," he said. " I worked
with them. We did what we could for the benefit
of the Russian Government. Every bit of cargo on
this ship belongs to the Japanese Government and
was to be taken ashore at Nagasaki. The last cargo
of the Columbia was also sold at Nagasaki to the
Japanese Government."
112 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
"When was this?"
" About two months ago."
More questions were put to Semmel, Peterson,
and Shamhaven, and at last the Russian naval offi-
cer turned grimly to Captain Ponsberry.
" I have heard their story, and it will be unneces-
sary to make an inspection of your cargo, since they
have told me of what it consists. In the name of
Russia I claim this ship as a prize of war, and you
and your crew must consider yourselves prisoners."
CHAPTER XIII
CAPTAIN PONSBERRY had feared the result ever
since the unexpected appearance of Ostag Semmel,
so he was not very much surprised when the Russian
naval officer stated that he should consider the Co-
lumbia as a war prize and place those on board under
arrest as prisoners of war.
" This is a high-handed proceeding," said he, as
calmly as possible, although his mind was in a
whirl.
" I do not think so," answered the Russian offi-
cer. " Do you submit or not? "
" Since it would be useless to fight, we shall have
to submit," answered the master of the schooner.
" But, remember, I shall hold you and the Russian
Government responsible for all you do."
" As you have said that before, there is no use of
repeating it, Captain Ponsberry. We will take com-
mand of the vessel at once."
" What are we going to do? " whispered Larry
to Tom Grandon.
»3
114 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" I don't know — follow the old man, I reckon,"
answered the first mate.
" We shall place a prize crew on this ship," went
on the Russian officer. " These men " — pointing
to Semmel, Peterson, and Shamhaven — " can re-
main on board. The remainder of the crew and the
officers, will be transferred to the Pocastra. I will
give you a quarter of an hour in which to attend to
your luggage. Please take no more along than is
necessary."
" This is certainly high-handed ! " cried Larry.
" So we've got to go over to that old coal box,
eh ? " grumbled Luke, when he heard the news.
" It's hard luck, Larry."
" You're right, Luke, but it can't be helped."
" What will they do with us ? "
" I haven't the least idea."
" Will they take us to Russia? "
" I suppose so— or stow us away in one of those
cold and dirty Siberian prisons until we can get
Uncle Sam to make them release us."
When it came time to depart from the Columbia
Larry was allowed to take only a bundle of clothing
along, and Grandon and the common sailors were
treated no better. The captain was allowed a
trunk and a suit case. In the meantime Sem-
mel was questioned once more, and what he had
PRISONERS ON THE " POCASTRA " 11$
to tell made the Russians look darkly at our
friends.
" He is pumping all sorts of falsehoods into them,
I suppose," said Larry to Luke, and he was right.
Semmel made it appear that Captain Ponsberry was
really an agent of the Japanese Government and
that he (Semmel) had done his best to gain posses-
sion of the ship wholly for the benefit of his own
country.
" If you really did this, it is very worthy of you,"
said one of the officers. " But we shall have to in-
vestigate before we accept your story in full." This
was not so encouraging, but with it Ostag Semmel
had to be content.
Fearing that a Japanese warship might put in an
appearance at any moment, the Russians lost no time
in transferring the officers and men of the Columbia
to the Pocastra and at the same time a prize crew
of two officers and ten men were taken from the
warship to the schooner. Then the sails of the Co-
lumbia were hoisted and off she set to the eastward,
and the warship moved in the same direction.
When placed aboard the Pocastra Captain Pons-
berry was treated politely and given a small room of
his own. But the mates and the ordinary seamen
were not so fortunate. Grandon, Larry, and Luke
Striker were hustled off to a prison pen on one deck
Il6 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
of the auxiliary cruiser, and the others to another
pen below, which was even worse.
" This is certainly hard luck," said Larry, as
he threw his bundle into a corner and sat down on an
iron bench, while Grandon and Luke did the same.
" And after we had almost reached Nagasaki, too ! "
" Well, there ain't no use to cry over spilt milk,"
came from Luke. " We're prisoners o' war, an'
I reckon as how we have got to make the best o' it.
Ain't the first time we've been in sech a fix."
" That is true, Luke, but it doesn't help the matter
any. I guess we have seen the last of the old Co-
lumbia"
" I was afraid of this sort of thing happening ever
since we left Manila," came from Grandon. " I
told the old man to be careful, that "
" Hush ! " whispered Larry. " They may be lis-
tening— to make sure that they have caught the
right parties."
" True for you, Larry ; I won't say another word
about that. But it looks dismal, no two ways on't,"
and the first mate drew a mountainous sigh.
The prison pen into which they had been placed
was an iron structure, reaching from floor to ceiling,
and was not over ten feet square. It had a solid
back and the remaining three sides were built up
of stout iron bars, only a couple of inches apart
PRISONERS ON THE " POCASTRA " 1 1/
There was a door which was doubly locked, the key
being held by a petty officer who could speak broken
English and who rejoiced in the simple name of
Rosenvischpoff. For short Luke nicknamed him
Rosey and this name stuck to him.
" Doesn't look as if a fellow could break out of
here very easily," said Larry, after an inspection of
their prison. " This is a regular bank vault."
" Wouldn't do you any good to break out," re-
turned Grandon. "As we are on the ocean, where
would you go to ? "
" We might hide until the vessel made a landing."
" Humph, and that would be in some Russian
port, so you'd be just as bad off."
" Well, I'm not trying to escape just now. I
want to get the lay of the land first, and try to find
out what they are going to do with us."
From Rosenvischpoff they learned that the
Pocastra was one of a large number of steamers
of various Russian lines which had been lately
pressed into the service of the national navy. She
had been rushed through at one of the Russian navy
yards and provided with a battery of four small and
four large guns, none, however, over eight inches.
She carried a crew of one hundred and eighty men,
drafted principally from other warships. She had
an advertised speed of twenty knots an hour but
Il8 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
rarely made over seventeen or eighteen. She was
old and her engines were constantly in need of re-
pair, much to the disgust of Captain Titorsky, her
commander.
" Well, Rosey, how goes this war? " asked Luke,
pleasantly, as the petty officer came around to give
them something to eat.
" Big fight all der dime," answered Rosenvisch-
poff. " Russians kill all der Japs — sink all der Jap
ships, yes ! "
" You're winning right along, eh ? "
" Yes, Russians win — Japs no do noddings, no ! "
And the petty officer left the food on the bench and
hurried away again.
" Do you believe that ? " asked Larry.
" No, I don't," came from Grandon. " He told
us that simply to scare us, or else he doesn't know the
real truth."
" Exactly what I think."
" These Russians are a lot of blowers," growled
Luke. "Just look at Semmel. He was forever
tooting his horn, and yet he couldn't do much of
anything."
" He got us into trouble," said Larry, quickly.
" That's true, but he had to have this warship
with all on board to help him."
The food which had been brought to them con-
PRISONERS ON THE " POCASTRA "
sisted of a big bowl of stew, with three spoons, and
three chunks of black bread.
" They are going to treat us to the best," said
Grandon, sarcastically. He lifted one of the spoons
and tasted the stew. " Phew, it's hot enough !
Pepper, garlic, and hot water ! "
" Does beat all how these fureigners do love their
garlic," grumbled Luke. " 'Twas the same way
with them Spaniards in the Philippines."
" Garlic and grease," added Larry. " And this
bread is hard enough to build a wall with," he con-
tinued. " However, we have got to eat or go
hungry." And he partook of just enough to stay
his stomach. Luke and Grandon were not so par-
ticular and despite their grumbling managed to make
away with all that remained.
They saw nothing of the captain, or of the sailors
who had been taken below, and the time hung heav-
ily on their hands. At night they were given three
hammocks and these they slung from one side of the
prison to the other and rested as well as could be
expected. The Russian sailors often came to the
pen to gaze at them, but they had been warned not
to attempt to converse with the prisoners, so nothing
was said.
On the afternoon of the third day aboard of the
Pocastra, those in the pen heard a loud shouting on
I2O AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
deck, followed by a rush of feet. Larry, who was
resting in the corner for the want of something
better to do, leaped up.
" Something is doing ! " he cried to his com-
panions.
" Here comes Captain Ponsberry," ejaculated
Tom Grandon.
He was right, the captain was coming up in com-
pany with Rosenvischpoff and two sailors. The
Russian petty officer opened the door of the pen and
Captain Ponsberry was thrust inside. Then the
door was locked as before.
"How are you, boys?" cried the captain, cor-
dially. " All well, I hope."
" We are," answered Grandon. " And you? "
" I'm well enough, but still angry to think that we
lost the Columbia."
" So are we angry," said Larry. " But we've
got to stand it. What's that noise ? "
" They have sighted a Chinese junk, and I reckon
they are going to treat her as they did our vessel,"
answered the captain.
The noise on deck continued, followed by quarter
of an hour of silence. Then came a shot, followed
by a second and a third.
" Another order to lay-to," said Larry. " Won-
der if the Chinamen will give in as we did ? "
PRISONERS ON THE " POCASTRA " 121
" They will if they are wise," said Grandon.
But the Chinamen did not believe in surrendering
thus easily. They were carrying rice for the
Japanese army, and thought that this was known to
the enemy. Consequently they did their best to sail
away.
Hardly had the craft started on a new course when
the Pocastra opened a direct fire upon her. The
noise below decks was deafening and fairly shook
the iron pen in which our friends were confined.
" Hullo, that sounds like real war ! " cried Larry.
" They mean business now."
One broadside was followed by another, and the
Chinese junk was raked from end to end with such
a deadly fire that more than a sixth of the sailors
and officers were killed. Then the captain flung a
white flag to the breeze in token of surrender.
" We have won ! " cried those on the Pocastra,
and it was not long before our friends understood.
Small boats were put out, and presently half a dozen
Chinese officers from the junk were brought on
board as prisoners. A fire that had started on the
prize ship was put out after some hard work; and
then a temporary crew was put on board, and the
junk followed in the wake of the old Columbia, with
the warship keeping guard over both.
CHAPTER XIV
PROGRESS OF THE WAR
AN hour after the capture of the Chinese junk one
of the officers of the ill-fated craft was thrust into
the prison pen with our friends.
He was a small sallow-eyed Celestial rejoicing1 in
the name of Won Lung, and it was soon learned that
he could speak a little English, he having once paid
a visit to San Francisco.
" All go up spout ! " said he, referring to his own
ship. " T.'ink we safe when Russian gunboat come,
den all up spout ! "
" Did they sink your ship ? " asked Captain Pons-
berry.
" No sink — shoot holes, back, front, side — all
up spout. No fightee no more den — all up spout ! "
The latter was his pet phrase and he used it over and
over again.
" You were in the Japanese trade ? "
" Yes — carry rice. Now Russians got rice, got
junk — all Won Lung's money gone up spout ! "
And the Celestial made an odd little grimace.
122
PROGRESS OF THE WAR 123
" Well, they took my ship, too."
" Big schooner your shipee ? "
" Yes."
" Won Lung weep for you — all ship gone up
spout, samee like Won Lung's ship gone up spout ! "
" Well, we haven't gone up the spout yet," put in
Larry, with a laugh. " Let us thank fortune that we
are alive and well."
" Dat so — Won Lung lose fliends on junk — six,
seven, ten — don't know how many yet," and the Chi-
nese officer shook his head sadly. " Bad war, bad ! "
" Can you tell us how the war is going? " asked
Tom Grandon. " These Russians say everything
is a Russian victory."
" Russians sayee dat ? "
" Yes — they pretend to say they have the Japs
about beaten."
At this Won Lung screwed up his eyes into mere
slits.
" Big lie dat. Japanese win everyt'ing allee
timee. Russian warships gone up spout — Russian
army run like — like — up spout ! "
After that Won Lung told them all he knew. It
was hard to understand him, yet they gathered that
there had been another sea fight in the vicinity of
Port Arthur, in which the Russian navy had come
off second best, and that the Japanese army that had
124 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
landed in Korea had driven the enemy to the north-
westward, over the Yalu River, and was now forcing
them back upon Liao-Yang.
" If this news about the army is true, Ben and
Gilbert must be having a hot time of it," was Larry's
comment. " I must say, I am mighty glad they are
on the winning side."
" Didn't I tell ye them Russians are a lot o'
blowers ? " came from Luke. " The truth ain't in
'em half the time."
" Perhaps they do not get the correct news from
the front," came from Captain Ponsberry. " The
censors may keep the bad news back, for fear of
disheartening the rest of the men in the army and
navy."
" They tell me the Russians are very strict about
sending out news," rejoined Larry.
" It is true, Larry ; no country on the globe is
stricter. No telegram can be sent without it is in-
spected, and the newspapers cannot print a single
scrap of news, or a single editorial, until after the
press censor has passed upon it."
" If that's the case, I don't wonder that some of
the people want to be free."
" Russia is more free to-day than she ever was
before, and freedom is bound to come sooner or later
— that is, I mean, not such freedom as we have in the
PROGRESS OF THE WAR 125
United States, but such freedom as they have in
England and Germany — where, at least, a man can
call his soul his own."
" It's a wonder the Russians will fight for their
country, if they are so ground down."
" They know nothing better, and besides, they
are really patriotic. If the Czar would only treat
them a little better, and give them a little more
liberty, they would be the most faithful of subjects.
But when a man can't do at all as he wants to do,
and can't open his mouth about it either, he is apt
to grow sullen and ugly."
As day after day went by life on the Russian
warship became almost unendurable for Larry and
the others. They suffered greatly for the want of
fresh air, and at last made a vigorous protest to the
captain of the ship, when he happened to be passing
the pen. As a result orders were given that they
should be allowed three hours on deck each day, one
in the morning and two after dinner.
" This is a little like," said Larry, when coming
on deck for the first time. " Oh, how good it feels
to breathe fresh air once more ! " And he filled his
lungs to their fullest capacity.
For their daily exercise Larry and Luke were
chained together, and the pair inspected with
curiosity as much of the warship as was allowed.
126 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" It's not so very different from some of our own
auxiliary cruisers," said Larry. " But, after all,
I like ours better."
" That's right, lad ; stick up f er your own country
every trip."
" Well, what do you say, Luke? "
" I say I'd rather be on one of Uncle Sam's ships
than on any other in the world."
While allowed to roam around on deck, Larry
often looked eagerly for the Columbia, but the
schooner and the Chinese junk were too far off to be
distinguished with the naked eye.
" We'd give a good deal to be back on her deck,
wouldn't we, Luke? " said he.
"Don't mention it, lad; it makes me sick,"
grumbled the Yankee tar.
" I wish I knew just what was being done on land,
don't you? Perhaps this war will end soon, and
then we'll be set free."
" It won't end yet awhile, Larry, mark my words
on that," answered Luke.
The old Yankee sailor was right — the war was
far from ended, and here it may be well to note
briefly what was taking place on the sea between
Russia and Japan, while the army of the Mikado
was pushing through Manchuria in the direction of
Li ao- Yang.
PROGRESS OF THE WAR 127
The loss of the great battleship Petropavlovsk
has already been recorded in " Under the Mikado's
Flag." This vessel was sunk by a mine in Port
Arthur harbor, April 13, 1904, and carried down
with her Admiral Makaroff and about five hundred
officers and men. At the same time the battleship
Pobieda was also injured by a mine.
The loss of the admiral's flag-ship was a great
blow to Russia, and while she was trying to recover,
Port Arthur was vigorously shelled by the Japanese
fleet, and many buildings were more or less
damaged. Some warehouses were set on fire, but
the local fire department, aided by the Russian garri-
son, succeeded in putting out the conflagration.
While the Japanese fleet was hammering at the
city and the ships from beyond the harbor, the
Japanese army encircled Port Arthur on land,
taking possession of every available hill beyond the
Russian line of defenses. As a consequence, by the
middle of May the city was in a complete state of
siege, nearly all communication with the outside
world being cut off.
But now came a turn in affairs which, for a short
while, made matters look favorable for Russia.
While the fleet of Admiral Togo was patrolling the
whole of the southeastern coast of Manchuria and
protecting the Japanese transports which were pour-
128 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
ing troops into the country, occurred a catastrophe
as appalling as it was unexpected.
On the same day, May 15, the magnificent battle-
ship Hatsuse, of the Japanese navy, was blown up
by mines and sunk, and the protected cruiser,
Yoshino, also of Admiral Togo's fleet, collided in
the fog with a sister ship, and was a total loss. It is
estimated that by these two disasters seven hundred
men were lost. Among the officers who met their
fate were men of marked ability which Japan at this
crisis could ill afford to lose.
The loss of the Hatsuse is worth relating in detail.
She had been along the coast during a heavy fog,
but this had cleared off and the sun was shining
brightly. Not an enemy was in sight, and all was
quiet on the great battleship when, without warning,
a terrific explosion was felt near the stern and a
portion of the steering gear was damaged.
" We have struck a mine ! " cried some one on
board, and without delay signals were hoisted for the
other vessels in sight to stand by. The battleship
was drifting and the locality was full of mines. It
was a moment of terrible suspense. Then came
another explosion, greater than the first, which
ripped large holes through her heavy plates. At
once the battleship began to fill, and presently she
sank like a stone to the bottom of the sea. The
PROGRESS OF THE WAR
other warships put out their small boats with all
speed, and succeeded in rescuing about three hundred
officers and men out of a total of nearly eight hun-
dred. Among those lost were Rear-Admiral
Nashiba and Captain Nakao, the commander of the
warship.
The Yoshino was lost while steaming slowly
southward, after a night's vigil near the entrance to
Port Arthur harbor. Other vessels of the blockad-
ing fleet were close by, so each ship had to advance
with extreme caution. But the fog, instead of lift-
ing, became thicker, and at a little before two o'clock
in the afternoon the cruiser was rammed by the
Kasuga, another vessel of the fleet A large hole
was torn in the hull of the Yoshino.
" Out with the collision mats ! " cried the com-
mander of the cruiser, and the mats were brought
out without delay and placed over the side. But the
hole was too great to be stopped in that manner.
Then the captain called the entire crew on deck, and
ordered the small boats to be lowered, five on the
starboard side and one on the port. Before the boats
could be gotten away, the Yoshino listed heavily
to starboard and went down, smashing the five small
boats under her. The other boat managed to get
away, with only a handful of jackies and a couple
of officers. The captain remained on the bridge
I3O AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
and went down with his ship. As soon as possible
the Kasuga put out her boats and succeeded in
rescuing about ninety men, out of a total of over two
hundred and fifty.
It was a great blow to Japan and the Russians
were correspondingly elated. Feeling that Admiral
Togo's grip on the sea was now weakened, the
Russian squadron at Vladivostok sailed forth and
did much damage to the shipping on the northern
coast of Japan, sinking several merchantmen and
taking a number of others as prizes. The Russian
squadron also met the Japanese transport Kinshiu
Maru, having on board the 37th ' regiment of
Japanese infantry.
" Surrender, or we will sink you ! " signaled the
Russian commander. The Japanese refused, and
were given exactly an hour in which to think it over.
As they still refused, a torpedo was discharged
against the doomed ship. As she began to sink the
Japanese soldiers opened fire with their rifles, and
then the Russians answered with their machine guns,
mowing down the Mikado's men by the score. But
the Japanese were brave to the last, and sank beneath
the waves with the cry of Banzai! (hurrah !) on their
lips.
It was an auxiliary cruiser of the Vladivostok
squadron which had taken the Columbia and the
PROGRESS OF THE WAR I$I
Chinese junk as prizes of war. The captain of the
cruiser was now looking for the rest of the squadron,
but so far none of the warships had been sighted.
" They must have returned to Vladivostok," he
reasoned, and then turned in that direction with the
Pocastra, never dreaming of what the near future
held in store for himself, his ship, and his crew.
CHAPTER XV
A SHARP NAVAL BATTLE
So far the weather had been good, but following
the conversation recorded in the last chapter there
came up a dense fog, and for twenty-four hours the
Russian warship did nothing but creep along in the
gloom.
During that time, for some unknown reason, Larry
and the others were allowed greater freedom than
before. Each had his hands chained behind him,
but all were separate, which allowed each to roam
around as he pleased.
" This is better than being linked to somebody
else," said the youth to his old sailor friend. " Not
but that we got along well enough together," he
added, hastily.
" You're right — there wasn't no sense in joinin'
us together," answered Luke. " We can't git away
if we want to."
" We might, if we didn't have our hands chained,
Luke."
"How?"
" If we all got together some night — providing
132
A SHARP NAVAL BATTLE 133
we could keep out of the pen — and stole one of the
small boats."
" Easier said nor done. The guard would ketch
ye an' shoot ye down like a dog."
- " Oh, I know there would be a great risk. But I
hate to think of going to a Siberian prison, or aboard
a Russian prison ship."
" So do I, Larry. But even if we stole the boat
and got away, where would we go to, — especially
if we didn't have much provisions an' water? "
Larry could not answer that question, since he
did not know the location of the Pocastra. It might
be that they were hundreds of miles from land. If
so, to take to a small boat with a scarcity of water
and provisions would certainly be foolhardy.
The fog continued during the night, but swept
away as if by magic about nine o'clock in the
morning. At that time the prisoners had had their
breakfast and Larry and Luke were between decks,
looking at some gunners' assistants cleaning out one
of the large guns.
Suddenly came a call from the lookout, followed
by half a dozen commands. As everything said was
in Russian, our friends did not understand a word,
but they soon realized that something unusual was
in the air. A shrill whistle sounded out and drums
began to beat to quarters.
134 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" I'll wager a new hat they have sighted a Jap-
anese ship ! " cried Larry, and scarcely had he spoken
when there came a dull booming over the water.
" Let us go to the deck an' see what's doing,"
returned Luke, and both started for the stairs. But
scarcely had they appeared on the deck when they
were ordered below again.
Larry was right; a Japanese warship had been
sighted, and this vessel had lost no time in discharg-
ing a signal gun to a sister ship only a few miles
away.
Hardly had the youth and his friend reached the
lower deck once more than the Japanese cruiser
opened fire on the Russian vessel. The latter re-
taliated, and the booming of cannon shook the
Pocastra from stem to stern.
" This is a fight for fair ! " ejaculated Luke, with
a broad smile on his face.
" I hope the Japs win, Luke ! "
" So do I, lad. But where do we come in, that's
what I want to know? "
" If we could only drop overboard and swim to
that other ship ! "
" No use of trying — some of the fellows in the
tops would pick us off in no time. No, we've got
to stay right where we are an' take what comes."
" Where are the others ? "
A SHARP NAVAL BATTLE 135
They looked around, but could see nothing of
Captain Ponsberry or Tom Grandon. They saw
Cal Vincent run past, but he was out of sight before
they could stop him.
Suddenly a crash above them told that a solid shot
had struck the upper works of the Russian cruiser.
Then came another crash at the bow.
" Those Japs know how to fire," came from the
Yankee sailor. " Reckon as how they're going to
do their best to blow this ship sky-high. I'd give
'most a dollar to be somewhere else just about
now ! " And he shook his head anxiously.
The Russian gunners were working with a will,
and so were their numerous assistants. The
Pocastra was swung around, and now both ships
were broadside to each other. The thunder of the
guns was terrific and the smoke rolled around in all
directions.
" Puts me in mind o' the battle o' Manila Bay,
eh? " remarked Luke, as he and Larry stood at a
distance, watching the Russians work one of the
guns.
" You are right, Luke, only "
Larry got no further, for at that moment came an-
other crash on deck. The Pocastra shivered and
heaved, and to those below it was as if she would
surely sink.
AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" They're pumping it into us, sure as you're
born ! " sang out the old Yankee tar. " Hullo,
what's this ? "
There was a rush of several gunners across the
deck. " Beware of that gun ! " yelled one in Rus-
sian, and then a stampede followed.
In the midst of the confusion came a fearful ex-
plosion from below. A portion of the flooring was
ripped apart and one of the gunners was instantly
killed and several wounded. A great volume of
smoke rolled up, and splinters and bits of iron and
steel flew in all directions.
Both Larry and Luke were almost stunned by the
explosion and for the moment could do nothing but
clutch each other in terror. Both were struck
by the flying splinters, but neither was seriously
wounded. They staggered back and began to
cough, for the dense smoke was strangling.
"Must have been a torpedo " gasped Luke.
" Or else a magazine ! " spluttered Larry. " Let
— let us get — get out of here. I'm — choking — to—-
to—death!"
It was really a magazine which had exploded.
This tore a good-sized hole in the Pocastra's side, in
a spot impossible to get at in the confusion. In the
meantime a solid eight-inch shell struck the Russian
ship squarely in the stern, doing additional damage
A SHARP NAVAL BATTLE 137
and killing and wounding two officers and nine
men.
Almost choked to death, Larry and Luke crawled
to where the ladder ran to the deck. The Russian
jackies and gunners were swarming up, along with
all the prisoners.
"Larry, are you safe?" came in the voice of
Captain Ponsberry, and he loomed up, with Tom
Grandon, Cal Vincent, and the Chinese petty officer
beside him.
" So far I am," answered Larry. " But I — I —
must have air ! " and he began to cough.
The jam on the ladder was terrific, and in the
midst of the melee a Russian gunner and the Chinese
petty officer got into a quarrel. The gunner threw
the Celestial down, but he bounced up like a ball,
and in a twinkling the Russian received a blow in the
stomach which sent him staggering back into the
crowd and the deadly smoke.
" No knock me up the spout ! " sang out the
Celestial. " Ship go down I go uppee ! " And
soon he was out on the upper deck.
Fighting, surging, pushing, and yelling the Rus-
sians and our friends got to the deck at last. Cap-
tain Ponsberry had his coat literally ripped from his
back, and Cal Vincent had an arm almost torn from
its socket. For this he gave a Russian gunner a
138 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
rap in the mouth which knocked loose several teeth.
It was a case of each man for himself, and many
fought like wild beasts.
At last Larry found himself free of the crowd,
with Luke still beside him. Captain Ponsberry and
Cal Vincent were not far away, but between surged
a great number of Russians. The Pocastra was list-
ing heavily to port and had evidently taken a large
quantity of water into her hull.
Two Japanese warships were now at hand and
both were firing upon the doomed Russian cruiser
with deadly accuracy. From the fighting tops of
the Mikado's ships came a perfect hail of small bul-
lets which sent the Russians to the deck by the score.
By this fire one of the Columbia's sailors was killed
and Cal Vincent was seriously wounded. A bullet
likewise grazed Luke Striker's thigh, drawing some
blood, but the Yankee tar did not know of this until
the conflict was at an end and he saw the crimson
stain on his shoe top.
At last the Russian captain saw that to fight fur-
ther would be useless. The Pocastra was in danger
of going down at any moment. The guns could
no longer be used, and he ordered the colors lowered
and put up a signal of surrender.
A wild cheer came from the two Japanese war-
ships when it was realized that the battle was won.
A SHARP NAVAL BATTLE 139
" Banzai! Banzai! " rent the air over and over
again. " Hurrah for the Mikado ! Down with the
Russians ! "
A little while after the fighting came to an end,
several small boats put off from the two Japanese
warships and half a dozen of the Mikado's naval
officers presented themselves at the Pocastra's side.
The Russian ship still listed heavily, but after the
smoke below had cleared away it was ascertained
that the damage done was not as great as had been
imagined. One of the magazines which had been
in danger of blowing up had been flooded, and the
rush of sea water had likewise put out a fire that
had started in the stern.
As soon as order could be restored on board of
the Pocastra a complete surrender was made to the
Japanese, the Russian captain giving up his sword.
Then a general conference was had lasting over an
hour. At the end of that time, much to their sur-
prise, the Americans were asked to go over to one of
the Japanese warships.
" We'll go, and glad of the chance," said Cap-
tain Ponsberry; and soon the transfer was made.
CHAPTER XVI
ABOARD A JAPANESE WARSHIP
" WHAT a beauty of a ship ! "
Such was Larry's exclamation as he stepped
aboard of the Japanese warship. The vessel was,
like the Russian prize, an auxiliary cruiser and
named the Mimora Juri. She was but three years
old and had been used for passenger service between
Japan and China. For such a small cruiser she car-
ried an unusually heavy battery, and everything was
shined up to the last degree, — the work having been
undertaken directly after the battle was over. The
Mimora Juri had suffered but little damage during
the contest and only a handful of men had been
killed and wounded.
" This looks more like Uncle Sam's navy than
anything I have seen yet," said Luke.
" Well, I don't know that the decorations aboard
our ships are quite so fine," returned the youth.
" But then this isn't an ordinary fighting ship.
Some of the auxiliary cruisers we used during the
war with Spain — those that used to be trans-Atlantic
steamers — were just as fine as this and finer."
140
ABOARD A JAPANESE WARSHIP 141
As soon as those from the Columbia reached the
Japanese warship the wounded were taken in charge
by the surgeons and placed in the sick bay, as the
hospital on a naval vessel is called. This was also
in the best of order, with nice, swinging cots, and
appliances of the latest designs.
As there were many things to be arranged be-
tween the two Japanese vessels and the Russian
prize, our friends were not interviewed until late in
the evening. In the meantime, some of the Rus-
sians were made prisoners, and a prize crew was
placed aboard of the Pocastra. Then the two Japa-
nese warships moved away, with the captured cruiser
between them.
" Those Russians must feel sick," was Larry's
comment. " It's worse for them, in a way, than if
their ship had gone down."
" Well, we all thought she was sinking," re-
turned Captain Ponsberry. " If she had sunk I
reckon some of us wouldn't be here to tell the
tale."
When evening came, a guard who could speak
a little English conducted Captain Ponsberry,
Larry, and Tom Grandon to the commander's cabin.
Here they were met by Captain Tonkaka, who, be-
ing a graduate of the Japanese naval school, could
speak not only English but also several other foreign
H2 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
languages. It may be mentioned here that the Japa-
nese naval academy of to-day is one of the foremost
institutions of its kind in the world.
" I will hear your story, Captain Ponsberry," said
the Japanese captain, politely, as he motioned his
visitors to be seated.
In a plain, direct manner the master of the Co-
lumbia told his tale, starting from the time the
schooner left Manila with a cargo intended for the
Japanese Government. He told of the trouble with
Semmel and of the mutiny, and then of the capture
by the Pocastra.
" You have assuredly been unfortunate," said
Captain Tonkaka. " Have you any idea where
your schooner is now ? "
" I have not, but I thought she must be close to
the Russian ship — she and that Chinese junk, too.
The Pocastra was taking them to Vladivostok as
prizes."
" Ah ! " The Japanese captain mused for a mo-
ment. " I dare say you would like to gain back
your ship ? " he continued.
" Indeed I would ! " cried Captain Ponsberry.
" I'd give a pretty dollar to do so ! "
" I shall interview the captain of the Russian war-
ship again to-morrow. It may be that he will tell
us where she is — although I doubt it."
ABOARD A JAPANESE WARSHIP 143
After this a few questions were put to Larry and
Tom Grandon and both corroborated what Captain
Ponsberry had said. They were also questioned
concerning the treatment they had received while on
the Pocastra.
" You may be thankful that the treatment was no
worse," said Captain Tonkaka. " Of late some of
the Russians have treated their prisoners in a most
brutal fashion."
" We are thankful," replied the master of the
Columbia.
The majority of the staterooms aboard of the
Mimora Juri were occupied by the officers of the
cruiser, but one small room was turned over to Cap-
tain Ponsberry, and a larger apartment was turned
over to Tom Grandon and Larry. At Larry's solici-
tation Luke Striker was allowed to " bunk in " with
the first and second mates.
" This 'ere ship is jest about next to a palace,"
was Luke's comment. " Ain't seen nothing so fancy
in a long time."
The Japanese warships were bound for the near-
est naval station with their prize. They could
readily have made eighteen knots an hour, but the
crippled Russian cruiser could not make over ten,
and so this was the rate of speed set for all three.
The Americans were allowed the freedom of the
144 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
ship and Larry and Luke spent many hours in in-
specting the guns and other equipments, and in
watching the Japanese jackies in the gun and cutlass
drills, their physical exercises, and in their drills to
fight fire and to lower the small boats. Everything
on board ran as smoothly as clockwork, much to their
delight.
" I can tell you what, Luke ! " cried Larry, en-
thusiastically, " this beats the Russians all hollow !
I never saw anything so well done ! "
" Almost beats our own navy, doesn't it ? "
" Well, I don't know about that. But it is cer-
tainly just as good. That drill to fight fire is im-
mense, and their physical exercises ought to make
each man's muscles like iron."
" They are a sturdy lot, lad, no two ways about
that, — and they understand just how to keep them-
selves in the pink of condition." Luke rubbed his
chin reflectively. " Do ye know what I have in
mind to do? "
" I think I can make a pretty good guess," came
quickly from Larry.
"Well?"
" You're thinking that you'd like to join the Japa-
nese navy, just to have a mix-up or two with the
Russians."
" You've struck the nail on the head, lad. And
ABOARD A JAPANESE WARSHIP 145
why not, seeing as how we are out here in fight-
ing waters, and with no ship of our own to go
aboard?"
" Well, I feel a good bit that way myself. Ben
is in the army, and so is Gilbert Pennington. If
they can make a record for themselves why shouldn't
I do the same? As it was I came close to joining
the army with Ben."
" So you told me before. But you're a born
sailor, Larry, not a soldier."
" I don't deny it. I'd rather be on board of a ship
than on land any day."
" Yes, to a fellow as gets used to the sea the land
seems a strange place."
From the Japanese on the warship who could
speak English our friends learned much concerning
the war. They were told that Admiral Togo's fleet
was keeping a strict guard over the harbor approach
to Port Arthur, and that a portion of the Japa-
nese army was hemming in the city on the land
side and had lately captured several hills of impor-
tance.
From Captain Tonkaka the Americans obtained
permission to station themselves in one of the fight-
ing tops, and here they spent hour after hour, on
the lookout for the Columbia. Captain Ponsberry
was particularly anxious to find his vessel, and kept
146 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
scanning the Japan Sea through a fine spyglass the
Japanese captain loaned him.
" If I can gain possession of that ship, I am going1
to fix Semmel and Peterson," said the master of the
Columbia.
" Both of them declared that they took possession
of the ship for the sake of the Russian Government,"
said Larry. " That being the case, they should be
treated as prisoners of war."
" Exactly my idea, Larry."
" Semmel is a thoroughly bad egg," came from
Tom Grandon. " He will lie out of his troubles if
he can possibly do so."
" It will be a shame if we don't find the Columbia
again," went on Larry. " Think of those rascals
taking her to Vladivostok and getting their share of
the prize money ! It makes me sick ! "
" Captain Tonkaka tells me that other Japanese
warships are in this vicinity," said Captain Pons-
berry. " They may fall in with the schooner even
if we don't. But what they will do with her, in that
case, there is no telling. They might claim her as a
prize also, and if they did, I'd have some trouble in
getting my property back."
What the Japanese captain had said was true.
In order to counteract the doings of the Russian
squadron which was raiding the northern and east-
ABOARD A JAPANESE WARSHIP H7
ern coasts of Japan, the Mikado had sent out a fly-
ing squadron of six or seven vessels, all of which,
though not large, had good sailing powers.
Owing to the heavy mists, the flying squadron
became separated, and two of the vessels fell in with
the Pocastra, as already described. Of the other
ships some proceeded up the coast to Korea and
caught two Russian colliers loaded with coal and an-
other ship carrying steel rails for the Manchuria
railroad. The remainder of the squadron put fur-
ther to sea, and on the fourth day out caught sight of
two Russian steamers loaded with munitions of war.
A chase ensued, lasting three days, and several shots
were exchanged at long range. But a mist, coming
up one night, put an end to the chase, and chagrined
to think that the enemy had given them the slip
after all, the Japanese turned back once more, to
look for the other vessels of the flying squadron.
CHAPTER XVII
THE RETAKING OF THE " COLUMBIA "
" WE are in for another storm ! "
It was Larry who made the remark. He was in
one of the tops with Luke, gazing anxiously to the
westward, where the black clouds were beginning
to pile up.
" Right you are, lad — and it's going to be a heavy
one, unless I miss my guess."
The storm broke half an hour later, and the wind
and rain were so furious that our friends were glad
to leave the top and go below. But some of the
Japanese sailors did not appear to mind the lashing
of the elements and remained on deck as if nothing
out of the ordinary was occurring.
" These chaps beat me ! " said Larry. " They are
certainly as tough as pine knots. I never saw their
equal."
" I'm beginning to think that the Japanese are
a wonderful nation," put in Tom Grandon, seriously.
" I used to look at them as something like the
Chinese. But there is a wide difference between
them and the Chinks."
148
THE RETAKING OF THE " COLUMBIA " 149
" A Chinaman isn't in it alongside of a Japa-
nese," came from Captain Ponsberry. " The Japa-
nese are up-to-date and very progressive; the Chi-
nese are about a hundred years behind the times."
The storm continued for the best part of half a
day. There was but little thunder and lightning,
but the wind blew a perfect gale. Yet even the
Pocastra did not seem to mind the wind, and all
three of the warships proceeded on their way at only
a slightly reduced rate of speed.
" Such a gale as this will play havoc with the sail-
ing vessels," said Larry. " I wonder how the old
Columbia is making out? "
" I was thinking that same," rejoined Captain
Ponsberry. " To tell the truth, I'd rather have her
go to the bottom than see her taken to a Russian
port as a prize."
When the storm cleared away, Larry was one of
the first to go on deck, to get a whiff of " washed
air," as he called it. The others followed.
" I see a sail ! " cried the youth, a moment later,
and at that instant came a cry from the lookout.
Far to the eastward was a sailing vessel flying a
signal of distress.
" She looks familiar to me ! " ejaculated Captain
Ponsberry, and ran to get Captain Tonkaka's glass.
One glance through the instrument was enough.
" The Columbia! "
" Are you sure? " cried Larry.
" She certainly is the Columbia" said Tom Gran-
don, after a look through the glass. " She has lost
her fore topmast and part of her bowsprit."
" And a part of the stern rail is gone," added
Larry, after he too had used the glass. " Let us
tell Captain Tonkaka," he added, starting to go
below.
The news that the Columbia was in sight was
soon circulated throughout the ship, and Captain
Tonkaka at once signaled to the other warships that
he was going to her assistance. Then the Mimora
Juri steamed away on her new course.
As they drew closer to the schooner they could
see that the storm had treated the gallant old ship
roughly enough. Many of the sails were in ribbons,
and not only the fore topmast but also half a dozen
of the spars were gone. One end of the forecastle
was stove in, and a part of the stern was a wreck.
" This is the worst yet ! " cried Larry. " They
must have caught more of the gale than we did."
" They didn't know how to handle her, that's the
reason of it," came from Captain Ponsberry. " We
have taken her through a worse blow than that ; eh,
Tom?"
" I think so," answered the second mate.
THE RETAKING OF THE "COLUMBIA" I$I
As soon as the Japanese warship was close enough
a boat was lowered and an officer went aboard of
the schooner, followed by several of his crew and
Captain Ponsberry, Grandon, and Larry.
The Russians having the schooner in charge were
meek enough. As a matter of fact the gale had ter-
rorized them, and all had imagined they were surely
going to the bottom of the sea. They did not like
it to find themselves in the hands of the enemy and
were astonished when they learned that the Pocastra
had been captured.
" It was a fearful storm," said the Russian officer
who was in charge. " Several times I fancied the
masts would all go by the board. I shall never want
another such experience. One man was washed
overboard and several were badly hurt by the wreck-
ing of the forecastle."
" Were any of my former men injured ? " asked
Captain Ponsberry.
" It was my fellow countryman, Ostag Semmel,
who was swept overboard and drowned," answered
the Russian officer.
" Semmel ! " ejaculated Larry. He drew a long
breath and his hatred of the man died all in an in-
stant. " Poor chap ! That was rough on him ! "
" It certainly was rough," answered Captain
Ponsberry. " And what of the others? "
IS2 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" Both Peterson and Shamhaven were hurt, but
not seriously. They are below resting," was the
answer.
It was found that some of the seams of the
schooner had opened but that no alarming quantity
of water was running into the well. The Russians
were asked to surrender as prisoners of war and this
they did willingly, and were transferred to the
Japanese warship. Then Captain Ponsberry was
asked if he wished to take charge of the Columbia
again.
" Will a duck swim! " he cried. " Of course I
want to take charge. Hasn't she always been my
ship? And my crew will want to go with me, I
know."
" But the wreckage " began Captain Tonkaka.
" I'll attend to that, sir, — don't you worry. Only
give me back my ship, that's all I ask."
" It shall be as you say, Captain Ponsberry. But
when you get to Nagasaki you will have to settle
matters with the Japanese Government. It is, all
told, a rather peculiar case. In one way, she is now
a Japanese prize of war, and in another way she is
not."
" I understand, and the courts will have to settle
the tangle, sir. I'll do what is fair, and I know the
Richmond Importing Company will do the same."
THE RETAKING OF THE "COLUMBIA" 153
" Then you can go aboard of the ship as soon as
you please."
" Thank you very much."
Captain Ponsberry had returned to the warship
for just this talk, and now he lost no time in getting
back to the Columbia, taking with him all his crew,
including Cal Vincent, who was just about able to
get around once more.
" Hurrah ! " cried Larry, " this seems like home
once more, doesn't it ? "
" That's what it does," answered Luke. " But
there is plenty of work ahead, I can tell you that,
lad."
" I don't care — work will help to pass the time."
When Peterson and Shamhaven saw Captain
Ponsberry they did not know what to say. The loss
of their leader, Semmel, had humbled them greatly.
" I'm not going to say much to you, seeing as
how both of you are hurt," said the master of the
Columbia, briefly. " But understand, I want no
nonsense from either of you."
" I'll do all I can to assist you, captain," said
Shamhaven, humbly. " All I want is another
chance."
" Which you'll not get from me," was the quick
rejoinder. " I know you thoroughly, Shamhaven,
and I am done with you. You and Peterson aided
154 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
the Russians and you can now consider yourselves
under arrest. When we get into port I'm going to
hand you over to the Japanese authorities."
Both of the culprits wanted to argue, but the
captain would not listen. Their hurts were in-
spected and they were told that they would be al-
lowed three days in which to recuperate, after which
they would have to do their share of duty.
" I don't like this," growled Shamhaven, after the
interview was over. " Peterson, we are in it deeper
than ever."
" Dat is so," was the answer, with a scowl.
" Veil, ve not put up mit him, hey ? Maybe, ven we
git near shore, we run avay, Shamhaven."
" Yes, if we can get the chance. But I don't
know where you are going to run to — especially if
you haven't any money."
" Ve git money."
"From where?"
" I ton't know dot yet, no, but ve git him, yes.
Captain Ponsberry must haf some, and dot Larry
Russell, too. Vonce I see Russell mit a money pelt
vot haf some gold in him, yes."
" A money belt with gold ? You must be dream-
ing."
" No, I see him mit mine two eyes. He count
der gold. He haf more as dirty pieces."
THE RETAKING OF THE "COLUMBIA" 155
" That is worth remembering," answered Sham-
haven. And he began to speculate upon what he
could do in Japan if he was free and had a money
belt full of gold.
That Larry had a money belt was true. He had
purchased it several years before, while on shore
duty in the Philippines. He was a saving fellow
and found the belt useful in which to place his wages
and the money which he occasionally received from
home. Strange as it may seem, the belt had not
been taken away from him by the Russians, and it
now contained nearly three hundred dollars. The
money was mostly in gold, — for he had found that
gold could be used no matter where he went.
CHAPTER XVIII
A CLEVER RUSE
As soon as Captain Ponsberry was in charge of
the Columbia once more he set about without delay
to put the schooner in proper condition for the run to
Nagasaki. The broken-off foremast was allowed to
remain as it was, but a temporary bowsprit was set
into place, and the damage to the forecastle and to
the stern repaired. A temporary rail was also nailed
up, so that there might be no danger of anybody
slipping overboard.
In all this work the sailors and the ship's carpen-
ter did their best, and the captain and his mates
helped. Sails were also sewed up, or replaced, and
inside of forty-eight hours the old Columbia was
once more on her way. The water taken aboard
was pumped out, and the pumps were kept going
two hours each morning and two hours each after-
noon.
" She will do now," said the captain, after the
heaviest of the work was over. " But when we
reach Nagasaki I'll have to put her in the dock for
156
A CLEVER RUSE 157
regular repairs. I shouldn't dare to take her to
Manila or to San Francisco in such a condition."
" It will take a long time to have the repairs made
in Japan," said Larry. " All the shipyards are busy
on government work."
" True, lad, but that cannot be helped. The law
would not allow me to sign a crew with a ship that
was not seaworthy."
" Then we'll have a long lay-off when we reach
Nagasaki."
" Exactly, Larry. But I shan't keep you. If
you want to go elsewhere "
" Not on another sailing vessel, Captain Pqns-
berry. But you know how it is with Luke Striker
and myself. Ever since we were in our own navy
we have had a hankering after warships, and "
" And you think of joining the Japanese navy ? "
put in the master of the schooner, quickly.
" That's it. You know how I spoke of joining the
army with Ben and Gilbert."
" To be sure — and I told you I couldn't spare
you."
" But now, if you haven't any use for me any
longer "
" Why, Larry, if you want to fight for Japan,
go ahead and fight ! " ejaculated Captain Ponsberry.
" I don't blame you. I'd fight myself if I was a
1 58 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
younger man and hadn't any obligations on my
shoulders. I suppose Ben is doing great things in
the army and you'd like to match him in the navy,
eh?"
" If I join the navy I'll do my best."
" Will Striker go with you? "
" Oh, yes, Luke and I always go together, if we
can. He was my chum when we fought under
Dewey and he has been my chum ever since."
" And a good fellow, too, Larry — a man with a
heart of gold. If it wasn't that you and Tom
Grandon were with me, I should have made him a
mate long ago."
" I don't doubt that, sir — and he is worthy of it."
Larry paused for a moment. " Of course, I don't
know if they want any of us in the navy."
" Didn't you tell me before that they had several
men you had met while under Dewey and some your
brother Walter had met while fighting in Cuban
waters ? "
" Yes, but that was some time ago."
" If they took those chaps then it's likely they will
take you now — unless, of course, they have all the
men they want — which I doubt."
" We shall not go as ordinary jackies. Ben got
a commission as a captain, and Luke thinks he might
go as a gunner and I might go as an assistant gun-
A CLEVER RUSE 159
ner. We occupied those positions before we left our
navy."
" Then I should certainly strike for the positions.
They may need gunners even if they don't need com-
rrion seamen," responded Captain Ponsberry.
As fortune would have it, the run to Nagasaki
was made without incident worthy of special men-
tion. Once there was a scare on board, as the water
in the well hole increased with alarming rapidity.
But the new leak was discovered in time, and the
ship's carpenter had little difficulty in repairing it.
They also sighted a vessel they thought might be a
Russian warship, but she proved instead to be a
Japanese coastwise freighter, carrying lumber from
one port to another on the northern coast of Japan.
As the Columbia drew closer to Nagasaki both
Peterson and Shamhaven grew more anxious over
what was to become of them. Neither desired a
term in a Japanese prison, and both wondered what
sort of a charge Captain Ponsberry and the cap-
tain of the Japanese warship would prefer against
them.
So far Captain Ponsberry had allowed them their
liberty, but through the talk of a couple of sailors
they presently learned that they were to be cast into
the ship's brig and placed under guard as soon as
the schooner dropped anchor.
I6O AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" This looks black for us," said Shamhaven,
moodily. " I wish we were out of it."
" I haf a plan got, yes," answered Peterson.
"To get away?"
The other nodded.
" Then let me hear the plan by all means, Peter-
son."
" It vos — vot you call him — risky, yes. Maype
ve get shot — you no like him, no? "
" Of course I don't want to get shot. But what
is your plan ? "
" So soon like de ship come up by der harbor we
vatch our chances an' trop oferpoard, yes."
" And swim ashore ? "
" Maype ve schwim by some udder poat, yes. Of
ve got money we go to leetle poat — gif Jap mans
money to take us avay, you see now ? "
" You mean to watch for some small Japanese
boat — a bumboat, eh? And bribe the boatman to
take us to some place of safety ? "
" You got him now, yes."
" That's good enough if we can find the bumboat
and get the money with which to do the bribing."
" Captain Ponsberry got money — an' Russell he
got money pelt, like I told you."
" Oh, I haven't forgotten about that money belt,"
returned Shamhaven. " And I wouldn't mind tak-
A CLEVER RUSE l6l
ing it if I could get my hands on it. But Russell
must wear it most of the time."
" I t'ink he not put him on by der night dime, no."
" What do you know about Captain Ponsberry's
money ? "
" He got money in a leetle pag — I see him vonce."
" How much do you think ? "
At this Peterson shrugged his shoulders.
" No can tell dat — maype a thousand dollars."
There was a pause, and Shamhaven drew a long
breath.
" One thing is certain," he resumed. " I don't
intend to go to a Japanese prison, or an American
prison either, if I can help it, and if we cut loose
here in a strange country we are bound to need more
or less money with which to get along. Without
money a fellow can't do a thing in a strange coun-
try."
" We git money — chust you vait," said Peterson.
At last the Columbia came into sight of the ship-
ping of Nagasaki. But it was now dark, and a
heavy fog was hanging over the harbor, so it was
impossible to make the proper landing before the
next day. They came to anchor and the necessary
lights were hung out.
" This is our chance," said Shamhaven. " It is
now or never ! "
1 62 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
He had heard that Peterson and himself were to
be made close prisoners directly after supper. He
watched his chance and when nobody was looking
motioned his confederate to leave the forecastle and
steal silently toward the stern of the ship. Each
carried a block of wood, to which was attached a
bit of iron, to make it sink from sight.
" Now then ! " whispered Shamhaven, and threw
the block he carried overboard. It struck the water
with a loud splash, and the block carried by Peterson
immediately followed.
" Hullo, what's that ? " came in the voice
of Tom Grandon. " Who threw something over-
board?"
" Sounded like somebody jumping into the
water," replied Captain Ponsberry, who was on deck
with the first mate.
An examination was made, but in the fog and
darkness nothing could be discovered.
" It was mighty queer," was Grandon's comment.
" Somebody must have done it."
" Where are Shamhaven and Peterson ? "
" In the forecastle, I suppose. Do you think "
" I don't know what to think. See if they are
there."
At once Tom Grandon ran off, and made a tour
not only of the forecastle but also of the forward
A CLEVER RUSE I $
deck. He called the men's names several times, and
others quickly joined in the hunt.
" They are gone ! " he ejaculated, running back to
where Captain Ponsberry stood.
" Gone? Then it must have been them jumping
overboard that we heard ! "
" Like as not — and they are a good bit away from
the schooner by this time."
" Bring a lantern and we'll take a look around."
A lantern was brought, and a few minutes later a
small boat was lowered, manned by Luke and three
other sailors. Captain Ponsberry went with them,
and the searchers remained out the best part of an
hour.
" They've given us the slip clean and clear," de-
clared the master of the Columbia, on returning.
" It was a risky thing to undertake in such weather
as this."
" Yes, and for all we know they may be at the
bottom of the harbor," answered Tom Grandon.
" Which place might be jest what they deserve,"
grumbled Luke Striker, as he helped to stow away
the small boat once more.
CHAPTER XIX
THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE ENEMY
As soon as Peterson and Shamhaven threw the
blocks of wood overboard they darted for the com-
panionway of the schooner and crept noiselessly
down to the cabin.
The apartment was deserted, and the swinging
lamp over the center table was turned low. On the
table rested several charts which Captain Ponsberry
had been consulting before joining Tom Grandon
on deck.
It was Larry's watch below and he was improving
the time by taking a much-needed nap. He lay on
the berth in his stateroom, with the door wide open
to admit the fresh air.
" Make no noise! " whispered Shamhaven. " If
we are discovered the jig is up with us."
" Russell is here, yes ? " came from Peterson.
" Sh-sh ! Yes — over in yonder stateroom."
They closed the door leading to the companion-
way and then tiptoed their way to where Larry lay.
" More than likely he keeps his money belt under
164
DISAPPEARANCE OF THE ENEMY 1 65
his pillow when he sleeps," said Shamhaven.
" Wait till I find out."
He shoved his hand under the headrest with cau-
tion and presently his fingers came into contact with
a strip of leather and chamois. He pulled on it
gently, but it refused to budge.
" Lift his head a little," he said, and Peterson
started to do as requested. But the movement,
gentle as it was, caused Larry to open his eyes.
" Wha — what are you doing here ? " stammered
the young second mate, when, waiting for no more
words, Peterson clapped a dirty hand over his
mouth.
" Keep still, you ! If you no keep still I hit you
good, yes ! "
" Confound the luck," muttered Shamhaven. " I
didn't want him to know what we were up to."
Larry began to struggle and with an effort threw
aside the hand over his mouth.
" Le — let up ! " he spluttered. " I want you
Help!"
" Shut up ! " cried Shamhaven, fiercely, and struck
him a swinging blow in the temple. Another blow
from Peterson followed, and then, with flashing
lights darting through his brain, Larry lost con-
sciousness.
Both men bent over him to see if he would move.
l66 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
When he lay as still as if dead they looked at each
other with satisfaction.
" He won't bother us any more — at least, not for
awhile," was Shamhaven's comment.
" Quick, de money belt ! " came from Peterson,
and as he raised up Larry's head, Shamhaven secured
it and stowed it away in the bosom of his shirt.
" You no keep him ! " he went on, in alarm, show-
ing that he did not trust his companion in crime.
" We'll divide up afterwards," said Shamhaven,
briefly. " Now to locate the captain's little pile."
Both tiptoed their way into Captain Ponsberry's
stateroom. Here there was a small safe, with the
door closed.
" A safe, eh ? " said Shamhaven. " Wonder if
we can open it ? "
He knelt down and tried to work the combination
lock. The safe was old and out of order and the
captain had had the combination lock made as simple
as possible in consequence. Soon there came a click,
followed by another, and the bolts shot back.
" Luck is with us ! " cried Shamhaven.
" Dare is de leetle pag," came from Peterson, and
reaching into the safe he drew the article forth.
There was a slip string at the top which he pulled
apart.
"Gold!" he cried. " See— dirty— forty bieces
DISAPPEARANCE OF THE ENEMY 167
of gold ! " And then he shut the bag again, and
placed it into his own shirt bosom.
" Remember, half of that is mine," came sharply
from Shamhaven. He fancied there might be more
in the bag than in the money belt.
" Yes, — an' haf de money-pelt money ist mine,
yes," returned Peterson.
" Right you are, Peterson. Now to get away
from the ship."
" Let us lock Russell in de stateroom first."
"A good idea!"
The door was closed and locked. Larry still lay
unconscious and there was no telling how soon he
would come to his senses.
They heard the tramping on the deck and the de-
parture of the small boat. Now those in the boat
came back and the search for the missing men came
to an end.
With the slyness of a pair of cats, the evildoers
crept up the companionway once more. Nobody
was in sight, and they crawled rather than walked
to the rail of the schooner. Both were good swim-
mers and not afraid to trust themselves to reach
some other shipping in the harbor. Yet as an extra
precaution each provided himself with a life-pre-
server.
" Are you ready, Peterson ? "
l68 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" Yes."
" Then over we go."
A small rope was handy, and lowering this, each
slid along it into the waters of the harbor. Then
they struck out swiftly but silently; and in a few
minutes the fog and darkness hid them completely
from view.
It was the best part of an hour before Larry re-
turned to his senses. His head ached as if ready
to split open and for several minutes he could not
remember where he was or what had occurred.
"Oh, my head!" he groaned. "Oh!" And
he turned over and tried to sit up, with the result
that he pitched out on the floor of the stateroom.
This aroused him and he got up as quickly as he
could.
" Those rascals attacked me ! " he muttered.
" They struck me over the head ! I remember now !
Oh, how my head spins, — just as if I was in a
merry-go-round ! I wonder "
He dropped on the berth and snatched away the
pillow. One glance was sufficient to show him how
he had been robbed.
" That's why they attacked me ! " he cried.
" Wonder where they are now ? Perhaps they ran
away from the ship ! "
Leaping up again he stepped to the door, and
DISAPPEARANCE OF THE ENEMY 169
finding it locked, began to pound away lustily, at
the same time yelling at the top of his lungs. In a
few minutes this brought down Captain Ponsberry,
followed by Luke, who had been told to come along,
the captain fearing that something had gone wrong.
" What's up here ? " demanded Captain Ponsberry
as he flung open the door.
"Where are they?" came the counter-question
from Larry.
"They? Who?"
" Peterson and Shamhaven ? "
" Gone — slid away in the fog."
" They have robbed me ! "
"You don't say!" ejaculated the master of the
Columbia. "You are sure?" he went on.
" Yes. My money belt is gone. They came
while I was asleep, and when I woke up both hit me,
— and I don't know what happened after that. I
just came to my senses and found myself locked in."
" The villains ! " burst in Luke. " Those chaps
ought to be swung up to a yardarm ! "
The captain listened to Larry's story and then
was prompted to take a look around the other state-
rooms. As a result he speedily discovered that the
safe had been tampered with and that his own money
was gone.
" They are worse rascals than I thought them,"
AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
said Captain Ponsberry, bitterly. " I am sorry that
I did not make an example of them from the start."
There was a good deal of speculation concerning
what had become of Shamhaven and Peterson, and
another search was instituted, lasting until the fol-
lowing day, but not a single trace of the evildoers
could be found.
" Well, I am out the whole of my savings," said
Larry to Luke.
" It's a shame, lad," replied the Yankee tar.
" But if you need ready cash don't fail to draw on
me. As long as I have a shot in the locker half on
it is yours."
" Thank you, Luke ; I know you'd say that.
You're the proper kind of a friend to have."
" Avast, Larry, with your compliments. Would-
n't you do the same fer me ? "
"Indeed I would!"
" Then it ain't worth talkin' about. Jest the same,
I hope we run into them rascals some day; don't
you?"
" I do. But more than likely they'll give the Co-
lumbia and us a wide berth after this," returned
Larry.
CHAPTER XX
LARRY BEFORE ADMIRAL TOGO
As soon as the Columbia could make the proper
landing, Captain Ponsberry went ashore and re-
ported his arrival to the authorities, and also re-
ported the escape of Shamhaven and Peterson. The
authorities had already heard of the capture of the
Columbia from the Russians, and said that the
schooner would have to remain at Nagasaki until
the whole case could be adjusted. The Japanese
were inclined to favor both the Richmond Import-
ing Company and the owners of the vessel, so it was
not likely that our friends would lose much in the
end. In the meantime the Columbia could be put
in a dry-dock and given the overhauling that she
needed.
" We shall do all we can to locate Shamhaven
and Peterson and get back your money," said an
official of the secret service department. But his
hands were so full with other matters of greater im-
portance that little attention was paid to the dis-
appearance of the two rascals.
171
AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" Well, this will tie me up at Nagasaki for some
time to come/' said Captain Ponsberry to Larry,
on the third day after arriving at the Japanese port.
" Which means, I suppose, that I can join the
Japanese navy if I wish," returned the young sec-
ond mate, quickly.
" I don't want to force you to leave the ship, lad.
But you said "
" I know, Captain Ponsberry, and I am glad of
the chance to get away. Luke and I have talked it
over once more, and yesterday we met a gunner
named Steve Colton — he served on the Brooklyn at
the time Walter did. He is now a gun captain on
board of Admiral Togo's flagship, and he is almost
certain he can get us good positions. He says gun-
ners and gunners' assistants are just now badly
needed."
" Then go by all means, Larry, and make even a
bigger record for yourself than your brother Ben is
making in the army. Perhaps, when this war is
over, you'll come back to the old Columbia, eh ? "
" More than likely, and I guess Luke Striker will
come, too."
What Larry had said about meeting Steve Colton
was true. As readers of a story of mine entitled
" Fighting in Cuban Waters " know, Colton had
been a gun captain under Commodore Schley, and
LARRY BEFORE ADMIRAL TOGO 173
as such had become fairly well acquainted with
Walter Russell and had also heard of Larry, who
was at that time serving under Admiral Dewey at
Manila.
A detail from Admiral Togo's flagship had been
sent ashore at Nagasaki, and Larry and Luke, as
they walked through the streets, had met several of
these men. Hearing two of them speaking Eng-
lish they had halted the pair ; and introductions had
followed.
" So you are Larry Russell," said Steve Colton.
" Any relation to Walter Russell that once served on
the U. S. Cruiser Brooklyn? "
" Walter is my brother," replied Larry, quickly.
" Oh, so you are the chap that was cast away in
the Pacific and picked up by Admiral Dewey's flag-
ship, eh?"
" The same, and this is the friend who was with
me, Luke Striker."
" Glad to know ye both." Steve Colton shook
hands. " This is my friend, Bob Stanford — he
hails from San Francisco and is a gunner's mate
with me. What are you doing in this corner of the
earth?"
A long talk followed, in which Larry and Luke
told their story, and Steve Colton and his friend
Delated how they had come to join the Japanese navy.
174 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" It's this way," said Colton. " I've got the fight-
ing blood in my veins and it won't come out. As
soon as this war broke out, I cut sticks from
'Frisco with Bob and we comes to Tokio. There
I met another American who was in the navy here,
and it wasn't two days before we were booked for
Admiral Togo's flagship. We've been down to Port
Arthur twice, and I reckon we'll go again before
long."
" Perhaps we'll go up to Vladivostok next time,"
came from Bob Stanford. " I've heard something
of bombarding that Russian port."
Colton and Stanford had a couple of hours to
themselves and Larry and Luke invited them over
to the Columbia. In return they were asked to come
over to Admiral Togo's flagship, the gunners having
the privilege of bringing their friends aboard dur-
ing the brief stay in Nagasaki harbor.
" You can come aboard to-morrow," said Steve
Colton. " They have an inspection and drill, and
you can see how they do it in the Japanese navy —
not but what it's a good bit like it's done on Uncle
Sam's warships."
Larry and Luke were very willing to go aboard
of the Japanese warship, and were taken out by Col-
ton the next day, and introduced to several gun-
ners and others who could speak a little English.
LARRY BEFORE ADMIRAL TOGO 1/5
They were also taken before the head gunner, who
took them to the commander of the warship.
" They both served under Admiral Dewey at
Manila," said the head gunner, and this made the
commander smile quietly as he shook hands and
told them to make themselves at home.
" Everything is as clean as a whistle," was Larry's
comment, as they walked around the forward part
of the warship and through the gun decks. " The
Japs certainly know how to take care of things.
Luke, just look at how the brass work shines ! "
" That's the way it ought to be," was the Yankee
tar's reply. " No slackness, an' I'm glad on it. I
love a clean ship above all things."
Steve Colton and Bob Stanford were enthusiastic
over the gun they commanded and explained how it
worked. It was certainly an effective weapon and
Larry and Luke were thoroughly interested.
" I could handle sech a gun myself," said Luke.
" An' do some damage, too; eh, Larry? "
" Anyway, I'd like to try it," returned the youth.
Orders were now being issued for the inspection
and drill, and presently nearly all on board of the
flagship hurried to the main deck. Here the ma-
rines were drawn up in long lines, with the officers
in their proper places. The sailors and gunners were
also at hand, each togged out in his best, for inspec-
AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
tion by an admiral on any warship means a great
deal.
Presently Admiral Togo appeared, followed by
several other naval officers of lesser rank. He was
in full dress, with many decorations on his breast,
and carried his sword. He proved to be a man well
along in years, with a round face, and small mus-
tache and goatee.
" He looks like a fighter ! " whispered Larry.
"True for you, lad," returned Luke. "An' I
reckon he knows how to handle men."
What our friends said about Admiral Togo was
true. He was a fighter and a born leader of men.
When the Naval Academy of Japan was inaugurated
he was one of the first graduates, and he was sent
by the government to complete his nautical educa-
tion in England, where, during 1873 and 1874, he
served on the training ship Worcester, making a
record for himself as a first-class pupil in every re-
spect.
On returning home Togo Heihachiro — to use his
full name — found a great task confronting his peo-
ple. They were becoming civilized as we term
civilization and needed a modern navy. He set to
work with vim and vigor, and then and there laid
the foundation of that navy which is to-day known
as one of the most effective in the world.
LARRY BEFORE ADMIRAL TOGO 177
The navy had scarcely come into existence when
there came rumors of war with China. The rumors
grew, and China became more and more hateful
toward the Japanese. To the outside world it
looked as if China, with her vast territory and her
immense number of people, would swallow up the
sons of Nippon bodily.
At last it was discovered that China was trans-
porting troops with which to begin the war. Togo
waited for no instructions from his home govern-
ment. He went at the Chinese with vigor. The
war followed, and after a number of thrilling con-
tests the Japanese were victorious, and Admiral
Togo emerged from the struggle covered with glory.
" He is the man to lead us to victory against the
Russians ! " was the cry throughout the navy, when
war was declared between Russia and Japan, and
how he sent his ships to Port Arthur and other
places, and what effective work was done by them,
has already been related. In the whole of the Japa-
nese navy, to serve on the admiral's flagship, the
Mikasa, was considered a great honor.
The inspection and drill were exceedingly interest-
ing to Larry and Luke, and they watched both with
close attention. After it was over Admiral Togo
addressed the men briefly and then turned to the
commander of the ship.
178 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" See, he is pointing to us ! " whispered Luke.
" Hang me if I don't think he is talking about us to
the captain ! "
" An officer is coming," replied Larry, and a mo-
ment later one of the admiral's staff came hurrying
to them.
" Are you the two Americans who served under
Admiral Dewey at Manila?" questioned the staff
officer.
" We are," answered Larry.
" Admiral Togo wishes you to come to him."
" Oh, Luke, we are going to be presented to the
admiral ! " cried Larry.
" Great pewter ! " groaned the Yankee tar. " I
didn't expect this nohow. But I don't care," he
added, bracing up. " He ain't no bigger nor
Dewey. Come along."
He followed the staff officer and Larry did the
same. They felt that the eyes of many of the sailors
and marines were on them, and stepped out as firmly
as possible. Coming up to the admiral, they took
off their caps and saluted.
Admiral Togo surveyed the two Americans with
interest. He had heard how they had come to
serve under Dewey at Manila and he smiled pleas-
antly as he held out his hand, first to Larry and
then to Luke.
LARRY BEFORE ADMIRAL TOGO 1/9
" Let me give you a welcome, my men," said he.
" I have been told your story. I hope this visit to
my ship has interested you."
" Very much, sir," answered Luke.
" I liked the drill, sir," answered Larry, with a
smile. " It was fine. And everything is so clean !
Really, I don't think it could be cleaner ! "
At this Admiral Togo smiled again. " That is a
compliment, — since it comes from one who has
served in the American navy."
He then asked them to remain where they were,
while some of the men went through an exercise
with their cutlasses. There was also a gun drill,
and they were asked to show how they had handled
a gun during the battle of Manila Bay.
" You are well drilled, I can see that," said the
admiral, on dismissing them. " They tell me you
think of entering our navy. If you wish to do so
I think likely we can find suitable openings for you."
CHAPTER XXI
LETTERS OF INTEREST
THE enlistment of Larry and Luke Striker into
the Japanese navy came sooner than anticipated.
A new warship was being fittted out at a harbor
some forty miles from Nagasaki, and Steve Colton
and Bob Stanford were transferred to this. Two
new gun crews were badly needed on the new ship,
and inside of forty-eight hours our friends had
signed the muster roll and were put into training,
under Colton. The positions occupied were those
of gunner and gunner's mate.
" Hurrah for Nippon ! " cried Larry, enthusiasti-
cally. " Luke, after this we have got to learn to
yell Banzai! in true Japanese style."
" This gun is a beauty," replied the Yankee tar, as
he looked the piece over. " I reckon as I can make
her do considerable damage if I get the chance."
" And I'll help all I can," said Larry. " Won't
Ben and Gilbert be surprised when they hear of
this?" he added.
" They might know you'd do something of the
sort."
1 80
LETTERS OF INTEREST l8l
" That's so, too. By the way, I'm going up to
the post-office to-day and see if there are any
letters."
Much to the satisfaction of our friends they found
over a score of men on the warship who could speak
English. Some, of course, could speak but little,
yet they could make themselves understood. On the
other hand, both Larry and Luke began to pick up
the Japanese language remarkably fast.
" If we keep at this for six months we'll be regu-
lar Japanese," said the youth. " It's not so hard
as I thought it would be."
They found the discipline on the warship very
strict and were called on to " toe the mark " con-
tinually. Yet all the officers were as considerate as
they were firm, so there was little of hardship.
When Larry called at the post-office for letters he
found two good-sized epistles awaiting him. One
was from his brother Walter, and ran, in part, as
follows :
" There is nothing particularly new in this part
of the globe. I am doing very well in my new
business and it looks now as if I should make a big
thing of it. I rather think I am more cut out for
work on land than for life on shipboard, although
I don't regret the time I spent in the navy.
1 82 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" Uncle Job is feeling very well these days and is
building a new wing to the old house — going to put
in a library of good books he tells me. He is as dear
an old chap now as anybody would want for an
uncle.
" I suppose you will hear from Ben and Gilbert.
I am expecting a letter every day. It's queer you
didn't go with them, but I suppose the old Columbia
with her crew suits you better."
" I am glad everything is all right at home,"
thought Larry, as he finished reading the communi-
cation. " A new wing to the house, eh ? Uncle
Job must be spreading himself. Reckon he has
found out there is something more to live for in this
world than mere money."
The second letter was from Ben, as he could tell
by the handwriting. It had been on the way a
long time and had been sent to half a dozen places,
including Manila. There was a great deal about
life in the Japanese army, and also a full description
of the capture of Liao-Yang. Ben then continued :
" We are now on guard a few miles outside of the
city. Our camp stretches for many miles, and we
are doing all in our power to strengthen our position.
What the next move will be there is no telling. One
LETTERS OF INTEREST 1 83
report is, that our particular command will help to
chase the Russians to Mukden, while another report
has it that we are to march southward, to aid in the
attempt to take Port Arthur.
" I have already told you what trouble Gilbert
had with that rascally Russian merchant, Ivan
Snokoff, and with Snokoff's confederate, Captain
Barusky, of the Russian army. Well, at Liao-Yang
we found Snokoff disguised as a Chinaman, and
Gilbert made the fellow pay over all that was coming
to him for the Richmond Importing Company. In
the attempt to capture Snokoff, Gilbert shot him in
the leg. It was only a slight wound, but the Rus-
sian was as mad as a hornet, and he vowed he would
get square some time. He is now in the hospital
here, but they expect to let him leave in a few days.
He really ought to be put under arrest, but as he has
paid up the money he owed, there doesn't seem to
be any way of holding him. It's out of the question
to go to court with the case. I helped Gilbert to put
Snokoff under guard, and he is as angry at me as he
is at Gilbert. I don't know if he will dare to do
anything or not, but both of us are keeping our eyes
open."
Larry read this letter twice before he stowed it
away. He was always interested in war news and
1 84 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
he thought the description of the great battle of
Liao-Yang very realistic. He shook his curly head
when he thought of Ivan Snokoff.
" He must be an underhanded rascal if ever there
was one," he mused. " And to think he disguised
himself as a Chinaman ! I'll wager Gilbert thought
it a fine thing to expose him and make him pay up.
But he and Ben had better look out, or Snokoff and
that Captain Barusky may cause them a lot of
trouble."
Larry had an hour to himself, and he spent the
time in answering both letters, telling briefly what
had happened to him since the trip to Manila and
how he and Luke were now in service on board
of the Japanese warship Shohirika. He added that
he liked the position of gunner's mate very much, and
that he meant to make a record for himself if given
the opportunity to do so. He also told about the
doings of Shamhaven and Peterson, and said he
hoped to bring them to justice, although he realized
that looking for them was as bad as " looking for
a pearl on the ocean bottom."
The letters finished, he addressed and posted
them, and then he and Luke took a short stroll
through Nagasaki, past the many curious shops, and
the fine residences. Some of the shop windows dis-
played flaring war pictures, done in glaring colors,
LETTERS OF INTEREST 1 8$
— all telling of tremendous Japanese victories on
land and sea.
" They certainly believe in tooting their own
horn," said Larry, with a laugh over one of the pic-
tures. " Just see this one, Luke — one Japanese
officer mowing down three Russians with his
sword ! "
" They ain't no worse nor we had at home during
the Spanish war, lad. I know one picture I see o' a
Rough Rider riding down half a dozen Spanish
soldiers. An' the truth o' the matter is, them Rough
Riders didn't have no horses at all but fought on
foot!"
" You're right, Luke. We'll have to put all such
pictures down as freaks of the artist's imagination.
But I guess I know why some of them are put out
— to draw the young fellows into the army and
navy."
" Right ye are. Some fellers seeing a picture like
that want to march to glory right off, — an' so they
go an' enlist. When it conies to hardtack an' black
coffee "
" Hold on, Luke. Remember you are in Japan.
Here it is rice and tea."
" So it is, Larry. Say, but I had to laugh yester-
day, when I see some of them jackies on board o' our
ship gettin' out their teapots with tea."
i86 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" It did look funny. But they do the same thing
in the army, so I have been told. They can make
the Japanese soldier and sailor do everything as we
do it but give up his tea."
" Well, I reckon tea is better nor rum."
" Certainly it is, — and if I were an officer I'd let
them have all the tea they wanted — if they would
fight any better for it."
" Those Russian sailors and soldiers drink an
awful lot of vodka. I should think they would try
to stop that. A half-drunken sailor or soldier isn't
of any account."
" They are so used to having it, I've been told,
that to stop it would bring on a regular mutiny.
It's hard to break off using a thing when you are
used to it."
" Right ye are, lad; a habit if it ain't proper is
something awful."
All was bustle throughout Nagasaki, for several
regiments of soldiers had come in, bound for some
transports which were to take them to Manchuria.
Banners were flying everywhere, and from a dis-
tance came the music of a band.
" Wonder how soon we will leave," said Larry,
when he and his old friend were returning to the
warship. " Now that we have enlisted, I'd like to
see some fighting."
LETTERS OF INTEREST 1 8?
" Maybe we'll get more fighting than we want,
lad. But I'd like to get into it myself," continued
the Yankee gunner, with a grin.
Two days more were spent at Nagasaki, and then,
on a clear morning, the Shohirika left the harbor
and steamed off in company with two sister ships.
They were to join a squadron bound for the western
coast of Korea, but where they were to go after that
there was no telling.
Captain Ponsberry came to see Larry and Luke
off. " Take good care of yourselves," said the mas-
ter of the Columbia. " An' teach them Russians the
lesson they deserve."
" We expect to do our duty," answered Larry.
Life on the Japanese warship proved to be very
much like life in the American navy. There were
hours set apart for various drills and exercises.
Each day they had to go through the movements of
handling the gun, fighting with cutlasses, putting
out a fire, and manning the small boats. They also
had to keep their ditty bags and grass hammocks
in good order, also their eating utensils, and each
had to do his share of cleaning up. Twice a week
the ship's surgeon examined each man, to see that
he was perfectly healthy.
" I like this keeping things clean," said Larry.
" It is bound to make for good health."
1 88 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" They tell me that Japanese sailors and soldiers
are among the healthiest in the world," answered
Luke.
In a few days the southern point of Korea was
passed and the bow of the warship was pointed
toward the eastern coast of Manchuria. They were
now getting close to the battleground and the look-
out was constantly watching for the appearance of
the ships of the enemy.
" We'll have a fight before very long — I can feel
it in my bones," declared Larry. And he was right:
but before telling of that contest, and what sur-
prising results it led to, we shall have to tell of some-
thing else which occurred, to delight Larry ex-
ceedingly.
CHAPTER XXII
A MEETING AND A PLOT
" SOME Japanese transports are coming up," said
Larry, two days later. " Six of them, and they are
crowded to the rails with soldiers."
" I reckon we are to act as an escort to them,"
replied Luke. " They would need an escort, if they
fell in with a Russian cruiser or two."
The Japanese transports were bound for the coast
of Manchuria, to land near the village of Petaka.
Soon they fell in behind the Shohirika; and then
those on the warship knew that they were going
to go close to shore, if not to make an actual landing.
A fog came up that night, which made the trans-
ports hold off. But the next day was as bright and
clear as before, and about noon land was sighted to
the westward. A patrol boat was sent ahead and
came back stating that all was clear for a landing.
Then the warships went closer and the transports
followed.
On the following day Larry found himself on
shore — having been taken along by one of the offi-
189
I9O AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
cers of the ship to interview an English merchant
who wished to sell some goods to the Japanese.
The officer could speak some English, but wanted
somebody along who could help him out in case he
could not make himself clearly understood.
The landing was at a small Chinese town which
was partly in ashes — the Russians having tried to
burn it down before leaving. There were a dozen
shops, but all were closed and with the windows
boarded up. Many of the Chinese had fled to the
country beyond; and a Japanese regiment was on
guard to preserve order and to keep the Chunchuses,
(Chinese brigands) from looting the place.
" This shows what war will do," thought Larry,
as he walked along beside the Japanese naval officer.
" I suppose some of the Chinese have lost all they
possessed — and through no fault of their own
either."
The business with the English merchant was trans-
acted quicker than anticipated, and, not caring to
go back to his ship at once, the naval officer visited
the camp of the Japanese regiment, taking Larry
with him.
" We expect another detachment here this after-
noon," said one of the regimental commanders to
the naval officer. "They are to escort a powder
train through the mountains."
A MEETING AND A PLOT IQI
A little while later the detachment came in on foot,
looking somewhat tired and dusty from a long tramp
through an exceedingly rough country. As the sol-
diers came to a halt in the public square of the
seaport village, Larry uttered a cry of amaze-
ment:
"Ben!"
" Why, Larry, can it be you? " came in a tone
of astonishment, and on the instant Ben Russell
rushed forward and caught his brother by the hands.
" I must be dreaming ! "
" I guess I'm dreaming myself! " said Larry, and
gave his brother a warm hug. " This beats the
Dutch! I thought you were at Liao-Yang. How
are you and how did you get here? "
" One question at a time, please," returned Ben,
with a happy smile. " I'm pretty well, although I
had a little dose of fever a couple of weeks ago. Our
Japanese doctor fixed me up in double-quick time.
Our command was ordered down here to look after
a powder train. There was a report that either the
Russians or the Chunchuses were going to try to
capture it or blow it up. Now, how have you been,
and what are you doing here? I thought the old
Columbia was at Nagasaki."
" You want to know as much as I do, Ben."
There was a pause and both laughed merrily, they
192 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
felt so happy. " I'm as sound as a fiddle. The
Columbia is at Nagasaki and likely to stay there
for some time. Allow me to introduce myself,
Lawrence Russell, gunner's mate aboard of the
Mikado's cruiser Shohirika. My head gunner is
Luke Striker, Esquire."
" Never ! " burst from Ben. " Well, this cer-
tainly is news. So you and Luke enlisted? Have
you had any righting? "
" Not exactly. But we have seen some rough
times," answered Larry, and then, as soon as Ben
could get away for a quiet half-hour, he related his
story in detail, just as I have set it down in these
pages.
" You are assuredly a lucky chap, Larry, not to
be in a Russian prison this minute," said his brother,
after the young sailor had finished.
" Perhaps I am lucky, Ben. But it wasn't much
of luck to have that Shamhaven and Peterson walk
off with my money belt."
" That is so, but as the amount taken wasn't a for-
tune I shouldn't worry about it. I can let you have
any money you need."
" I don't need any, and, besides, Luke is acting as
my banker. But now tell me about yourself."
" There isn't very much to tell, outside of what
I put down in that letter you received. As you
A MEETING AND A PLOT 1 93
know, Gilbert and I are both attached to this com-
mand of Major Okopa."
" Where is Gilbert now? "
" His company was to bring up the rear. They'll
be here very shortly. Since the battle of Liao-
Yang we have been on special duty, looking after
the pack and powder trains, and have seen very
little of fighting. We are reinforcing our lines
daily, and I think the Russians must be doing the
same. I expect some more heavy fighting soon, un-
less winter steps in and puts a stop to everything.
The nights are already rather cool," added Ben.
It was half an hour later that the company under
Gilbert came in, having in their custody two Chinese
bandits that had tried to steal four horses belonging
to two Japanese army carts.
" So it's really you, Larry ! " cried the young
Southerner, as he shook hands. " I'm mightily glad
to see you and see you looking so well. I suppose
Ben has told you all the news."
" Yes, and Larry has been telling some too," put
in Ben. " He has seen almost as much of the Rus-
sians as we have." And then Larry's story had to
be told again.
" I don't know where we shall go after we leave
here," said the young sailor. " Are you going back
to Liao-Yang?"
194 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" We don't know that either. Our orders are to
escort the powder train wherever it may be sent,"
said Ben.
For two days the Japanese warship remained in
the harbor of the seaport village and during that
time Larry managed to see quite a good deal of Ben
and Gilbert. He wished he could take them on
board of the cruiser, but this was not permitted.
On the third day the Shohirika received orders
from a dispatch boat which steamed into the harbor,
and an hour later the anchors were hove apeak and
she steamed away, carrying Larry and his old Yan-
kee friend along. Ben and Gilbert stood on a dock
watching her departure. They waved their hand-
kerchiefs at Larry and he waved his own in return.
" I wonder when I'll see Larry again," mused
Ben. He felt rather sober at the parting from his
younger brother.
" Oh, you'll see him again before long," answered
Gilbert, trying to be cheerful.
" Maybe not. It all depends upon where that
cruiser sails to. She may go half around the
world."
" More than likely she has been sent to take part
in the bombardment of Port Arthur."
" Do you really think we'll be sent to Port
Arthur, Gilbert?"
A MEETING AND A PLOT 195
" It is not unlikely, Ben."
The pair watched the cruiser fade away in the
distance, and then returned to that part of the
village in which Major Okopa's command had been
located.
" By the way," said Gilbert, as they hurried along.
" There is one thing I forgot to tell you. Meeting
Larry drove it completely out of my mind. On the
way to this village we stopped at a place called
Wikelipe, and there I met, whom do you suppose? "
" I don't know, I'm sure."
" That rascal Ivan Snokoff. He was at his same
old tricks — selling things to the inhabitants at ex-
orbitant prices. When he saw me he shook his fist
at me and my men and then ran away and hid."
" Why didn't you root him out, Gilbert? "
" What good would it have done ? Besides, I
didn't have time. The fight with the brigands made
us lose three hours. But do you know, I think
Snokoff has it in for me."
" Yes, and in for me, too," added Ben. " He
hasn't forgotten how I brought along the guard that
placed him under temporary arrest."
There was no time to say more, for the command
was to move in half an hour and both of the young
captains had to round up their men for that purpose.
The powder train was at rest outside of the village
196 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
and the men were scattered here, there, and every-
where.
Evening found the command to which Ben and
Gilbert belonged ten miles on their way through the
mountains. Only the officer in charge of the pow-
der train knew the destination of the precious stores.
The train consisted of eighteen carts, each pulled by
four horses.
Although none in Major Okopa's command knew
it, the train was followed by a Chinaman named Kee
Lung, who lived in Wikelipe, the place where Gilbert
had seen Ivan Snokoff. Kee Lung was well known
to Ivan Snokoff and had been asked by the rascally
Russian to keep his eyes on Gilbert and on Ben and
to report their movements. He had watched Gil-
bert's meeting with Ben and Larry and heard some-
thing of what was said and had thus managed to
make out that two of the party were brothers.
As the powder train approached Wikelipe, Kee
Lung went ahead to find Ivan Snokoff. This was
not difficult, as he knew exactly where the latter was
hiding. A conference lasting an hour ensued.
" Do as you have promised and you shall have
fifty yen," said Ivan Snokoff.
" You will not fail to pay ? " queried Kee Lung.
" By the heads of my ancestors I promise it," was
the rascally Russian's answer.
A MEETING AND A PLOT
" 'Tis enough. I shall do as I have promised,"
returned the Chinaman. And he bowed himself
from Ivan SnokofFs presence. Left to himself, the
rascally Russian rubbed his hands gleefully.
" Ha, I trust he is successful ! " he muttered to
himself. " Once Pennington and Russell are in the
power of us Russians I shall show them what it
means to insult and degrade a Snokoff ! "
CHAPTER XXIII
THE ATTACK IN THE DARK
Two days later Gilbert and Ben were seated in
their tent talking about the meeting with Larry
when one of the guards came in and saluted.
" A messenger to see Captain Russell and Captain
Pennington," said the guard.
" Show him in," returned Ben, briefly, thinking
it was a simple message about camp duties. He was
rather surprised when a Chinaman entered, bowing
low as he did so.
" Dis Clabtain Lussell ? " asked the newcomer.
" That is my name."
" Dis Clabtain Plennington ? "
" Yes," answered Gilbert.
" Sailor man send Chung Wow," went on the
Chinaman. " Sailor man want see bloth." He
pointed to the two young captains. " Sailor man
say he blother you." And now he pointed at Ben
alone.
" Said he was my brother ? " cried the young cap-
tain.
198
THE ATTACK IN THE DARK
The messenger nodded. " Name allee same
Larry Lussell."
" Gracious me ! " ejaculated Ben. " Gilbert, what
can this mean? I thought Larry sailed away on
that warship."
" So did I. But she may be back in port."
" Sailor man hurt." The Chinaman pointed to
his side. " Sick — he shot — say you dome to-
night."
" Sick ? shot ? " repeated Ben, and a cold chill
went down his backbone. " That is the worst yet.
Where is he?"
" Big walk down by the sea. Chung Wow show.
But must pay — Chung Wow poor people."
" Oh, I'll pay you," answered Ben, hurriedly.
" Gilbert, do you think I can get away ? "
" Sailor man say bloth dome," put in the mes-
senger.
" Something is wrong, that is certain," came from
Gilbert. He eyed the Chinaman closely. " There
is no mistake about this ? "
At this Chung Wow shrugged his lean shoulders
and looked blank.
" No see mistakee. See sailor mans."
" I guess he is all right," put in Ben. " Some-
thing has happened to poor Larry. I wonder if I
can get away at once ? "
2OO AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" Let us see the major about this."
Ben hurried off and caught Major Okopa in his
own tent. As the command was not to move until
noon of the next day both readily obtained permis-
sion to absent themselves until that time.
" But be careful," said the major. " This may be
some Chinese trick."
" We'll be on our guard/' answered Ben.
The Chinese messenger had come in on foot. He
said he was hungry and was given something to eat.
Then the three set off, the messenger carrying a
knapsack filled with rations, and each of the young
captains carrying his sword and his pistol. They
tried to learn from Chung Wow how far they would
have to travel, but the Chinaman either could not or
would not inform them.
" Perhaps it might have been as well to have taken
a detachment of one company along," suggested Gil-
bert. " I must say, I don't like the looks of this."
They were now a good mile away from camp, and in
a location that appeared lonely enough.
" Well, we are moving down to the seacoast,"
returned Ben. He was taking careful note of the
direction they were pursuing.
After that they journeyed along for a good two
hours without saying much. They stepped along
briskly, for Ben wanted to learn just what had hap-
THE ATTACK IN THE DARK 2OI
pened to his brother. For all he knew to the con-
trary, Larry might be mortally wounded.
Presently they came to a spot in the road where
there were a number of dense trees. Chung Wow
began to cough loudly.
"What's the matter?" demanded Gilbert. For
some reason he did not trust the Chinaman.
" Slomthing fly in float," was the answer, and
Chung Wow coughed again. Then he walked
on, and they came behind him. But Gilbert
drew his pistol and motioned for Ben to do the
same.
" I may be mistaken, but we may be walking into
a trap," he whispered.
"Why, Gilbert, I don't " began Ben, when
without warning a heavy object dropped upon his
head from the limb of one of the trees and bore him
to the ground. Another object dropped on Gilbert,
but he squirmed from under, — to find himself con-
fronted by several Chunchuses. A cry went up,
and a crashing was heard in the bushes back of the
trees.
" A trick, Ben, just as I suspected ! " ejaculated
the young Southerner, and he discharged his pistol
point-blank at the Chinese bandit in front of him.
This done he made a leap to one side, hurling over
Chung Wow as he did so, and darted forward into
2O2 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
some bushes. A shot was aimed at him, but did no
injury, and he kept on, running as hard as he
could.
In the meantime Ben did his best to get up. But
one man was on his shoulders and another had him
by the legs, so to move was next to impossible.
Then, as he continued to struggle, he received a
heavy kick from a wooden shoe which stretched him
out like a log.
" He is out of the fight now," said one of the
Chunchuses, as he bent over Ben. " Go after the
other. Do not let him escape if you can help it.
Americans are worth a good deal to us in these
days!"
Three of the brigands remained to guard Ben and
the others made after Gilbert. But they could not
catch the young Southerner, and after a long chase
they came back.
" He has gone back to his camp," said one of the
Chunchuses to his chief. " He will have his friends
about our ears very shortly."
As soon as this news was received, Ben's hands
and feet were bound, and four of the Chinamen
caught him up as if he were a dead animal and
hoisted him on their shoulders. Off they set at a
dog-trot, with the remaining brigands around them.
It was the jogging over the rough mountainous
THE ATTACK IN THE DARK 2O3
road which finally brought the young captain to his
senses. At first he did not realize that he was on
the move.
" Gilbert ! " he called faintly. " Gilbert ! "
Nobody answered him, and now he essayed to sit
up. He could not budge and consequently began to
struggle.
" Be still ! " cried one of the Chunchuses, in
Chinese.
" Where am I ? What are you doing to me ? "
queried Ben.
For answer he received a good shaking and was
then dumped on the ground. His feet were lib-
erated, and the chief of the Chinese brigands ordered
him to move along, pointing the end of his sword at
the prisoner as he did so.
" Where is my friend? " asked Ben.
" He is dead," said the chief, laconically.
" Dead ! " burst out the young captain. His
heart seemed to become like a lump of lead. Gil-
bert, his own true chum, dead ! It was too horrible
to believe.
" Yes, and you will be unless you walk on," added
the chief of the Chunchuses.
There was no help for it, and, bruised and bleed-
ing, the young captain took up the march, with his
enemies on all sides of him. The gait was a rapid
204 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
one, and before they came to a halt once more he
was all but exhausted.
" Where are you taking me? " he asked.
" Wait and see." The chief of the Chunchuses
grinned wickedly. " I shall have to trouble you for
your valuables," he went on, in his native tongue,
and without further ado stripped Ben of his posses-
sions, including his watch, money, ring, and sword.
There was no use protesting, and therefore the
young captain did not attempt it. He was marched
along a marshy path, and presently came in sight of
the ocean and a small bay, where two sailing ships
and a small steamer lay at anchor.
A shrill whistle sounded out, and this was
answered by somebody on the steamer. Then a
small boat put in to shore, carrying four sailors and
an officer. As soon as the officer landed, he was
called aside by the chief of the Chunchuses, and a
conference lasting several minutes followed.
" It shall be as you say, Ching Fee," said the offi-
cer, in Russian. " It is too bad you did not get the
other, too. I know Ivan Snokoff, and Captain
Barusky too, and there will be money in this. Yes,
I'll take him on board at once. You had better
watch out that the soldiers do not get after you."
" Trust Ching Fee to take care of himself," said
the chief of the Chunchuses.
THE ATTACK IN THE DARK
With scant ceremony Ben was conducted to the
small boat and told to get in. He asked where they
were going to take him, but could get no satisfaction.
As soon as the steamer was reached, he was con-
ducted to an empty stateroom and locked in.
" This is the worst yet ! " he muttered, as he sat
down. " I suppose they intend to carry me miles
and miles away. Poor Gilbert ! I never thought he
would be killed in such a fashion as this! What
cutthroats these Chinese brigands are ! It's a won-
der they didn't kill me too! Can that story about
Larry be true? "
There was a little water in the stateroom, and as
his hands had been released, Ben bathed his wounds
and bound them up as best he could. He heard the
steamer move away from the shore, and soon the
steady pounding of the engines proved that she was
forging ahead at her best rate of speed.
He was a prisoner of the enemy, and what they
were going to do with him was a question still to be
answered.
CHAPTER XXIV
THE DEFENSE OF THE POWDER TRAIN
AFTER firing on the Chinese brigands as already
described, Gilbert plunged into the brushwood which
was not over half a dozen yards distant. He heard
the shots discharged at him in return, but fortunately
every one went wide of its mark.
Once in the brushwood he did not stop, but con-
tinued on his way for several rods. Then he
paused, wondering if Ben was anywhere in the vi-
cinity.
" I hope they didn't kill him," he murmured.
" What a trap that was, and how easily we walked
into it ! "
He waited and listened, but nobody came near
him. Then, with caution, he pushed ahead, until
he gained once more the road leading back to the
temporary camp occupied by the powder train and
the detachment guarding it. Following this, he ran
on at full speed until the welcome camp-fires greeted
him.
" Major Okopa, we have been attacked by Chun-
206
THE DEFENSE OF THE POWDER TRAIN 2O/
chuses ! " he exclaimed, as he rushed up to the offi-
cer's quarters. And in a brief manner he explained
the situation so far as he knew it.
The Japanese major had taken a strong liking to
Gilbert and Ben, and he lost no time in ordering out
a company to round up the Chinese brigands if they
could be located. It was Gilbert's own command
and he was given permission to remain out the whole
night and the next day if necessary.
The young Southerner went at the task with
vigor, for he realized that every moment was
precious. He explained the situation to his men,
and they set off at double-quick to where the attack
had been made.
As was to be expected, the spot was deserted. By
torchlight they saw the evidences of the struggle
which had taken place. In one spot was a pool of
blood, left by the brigand whom Gilbert had shot in
the shoulder.
" They went off in this direction," said one of the
soldiers, who was good at tracing footsteps. He
pointed to a side road, and along this they ran, keep-
ing eyes and ears on the alert, so as to avoid any-
thing in the nature of a surprise.
Two hours later the company found itself on the
seashore. But Chunchuses and vessels were gone
and to where it was impossible to find out. But on
2O8 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
the beach Gilbert picked up an empty pocketbook
which he knew was Ben's property.
" They brought him here most likely," he said.
" See, here are the marks of a rowboat, and of many
feet. They have gone off on the water."
" Then the hunt is at a standstill," returned his
second in command.
The young captain was unwilling to believe this,
and the remainder of the night, and the next fore-
noon, were spent in an eager search after the
enemy. But it was useless; and at last Gilbert,
sick at heart, ordered his men to return to the
camp.
On the following day the powder train moved
onward once more. The first lieutenant of Ben's
company took command of the body, and Ben was
marked " missing " on the roll.
" It is certainly too bad, and I sympathize with
you, Captain Pennington," said Major Okopa.
" Captain Russell is a fine fellow."
" It takes all the vigor out of me," replied Gilbert.
" Ben and I were like two brothers."
But Gilbert was given no time in which to grieve
over Ben's disappearance. Two days later, the
powder train was attacked by a detachment of the
Russians, who seemed to spring out of the very
ground. One of the wagons loaded with powder
THE DEFENSE OF THE POWDER TRAIN 2O9
was blown to atoms, killing two horses and three
soldiers.
" Banzai! " cried the Japanese, and when the
order was given they attacked the enemy with
vigor. It was a hot fight, lasting half an hour, and
the Russians were driven among some high hills,
backed up by several mountains.
As the powder train had to go through one of the
mountain passes so close at hand, the soldiers were
sent ahead, to clear the way of all Russians that
might appear. This was dangerous work, for the
enemy had the advantage of the higher position.
But the Japanese were undaunted, and rushed up one
slope after another with a vigor and animation that
was surprising.
" Can't hold them back, when once they get
started," said Gilbert, to the major. " They are
like our Southern bloodhounds, when once they
strike the scent."
" And that is the way to win victory," answered
Major Okopa.
Not long after this Gilbert found himself at the
foot of a steep hill with his company. At the top
of the hill were a number of great bowlders and
behind these some of the Russians were in hiding,
sending down a spiteful fire whenever the opportu-
nity presented itself.
21O AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" We must dislodge those fellows," said Major
Okopa. "It is very dangerous work. Do you
think you can accomplish it, Captain Penning-
ton?"
" I can try," answered Gilbert, modestly, and
ordered his company forward. He turned them
slightly to the left, for here a fringe of thin brush-
wood offered a shelter that was not great, but much
better than none.
" Major Okopa expects us to take this hill," he
said, in the best Japanese he could muster. " Let
us do our best ! "
"Banzai!" came the rallying cry from the men,
and up the slope they rushed, with Gilbert at their
side. Crack ! crack ! went the rifles of the Russians,
and then, without warning, several shells were sent
up. One man of Gilbert's company was killed and
two wounded, but they did not waver. Passing the
brushwood, they ran out boldly on the slope above
them.
Many of the rocks at the top of the hill were loose,
and as the Japanese came closer, the enemy began to
send them down in a shower which was highly
dangerous to those below.
" Beware of the stones ! " cried Gilbert.
He had hardly spoken when he saw that he would
have to look after his own safety. The Russians
THE DEFENSE OF THE POWDER TRAIN 211
were working over a rock that weighed several
hundreds of pounds.
All at once the mass broke loose. There was a
yell of delight from above, and then the big bowlder
came rolling straight for Gilbert. Had it touched
him he must surely have been crushed to death.
But the young Southerner was as cool as he was
quick. Pausing to make certain which way the
big stone was coming down, he made a quick leap
in the opposite direction. Then the bowlder went
bounding past him, to crash into some small trees
at the bottom of the hill.
" Are you hurt, captain ? " asked his lieuten-
ant.
" No," answered Gilbert. Then he leaped to the
front once more. " Come ! " he cried. " Banzai!
Forward for the Mikado!" And on the whole
company went as before, firing rapidly as they did
so. The Russians clung to the hilltop a few min-
utes longer, and then, as the first of the Japanese
gained a footing there, they broke and fled in wild
disorder down the other side of the hill, and into the
woods to the northward. The Japanese pursued
them for two hours but could not catch them, and
at last the chase was abandoned. In this skirmish,
called the battle of Po-yang-ling, the Japanese lost
in killed and wounded four men, and the Russians
212 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
seven. Three of the Czar's soldiers were also taken
prisoners.
After that the powder train had no more difficulty,
and four days later reached its destination, which
was the village of Fanshen, where the Japanese had
established something- of a base of supplies for that
portion of the army which was moving southward
to join in the siege of Port Arthur. At Fanshen,
Major Okopa's command received orders to go into
camp instead of returning to the vicinity of Liao-
Yang.
" This looks to me as if we were to be trans-
ferred to the army in the south," said the major,
after communicating the news to Gilbert.
" Well, I shouldn't mind helping to take Port
Arthur," returned the young Southerner. " If you
will remember, it was my treatment by the Rus-
sians at that place which caused me to take up arms
against them."
" So you said before, Captain Pennington. But
do not imagine that the taking of Port Arthur will
be easy. The Russians have fortified it in every
possible manner."
" Yes, — they were doing that before I came away
from there."
" For months they have been strengthening their
fortifications, and getting in ammunition and supplies
THE DEFENSE OF THE POWDER TRAIN 213
in secret. Their chain of forts extend, so I have
been told, for twenty miles and more outside of the
city, and being in a mountainous country, they will
be hard to reduce."
" Don't you think we can capture the place? " de-
manded Gilbert.
" Capture it ? Most assuredly, captain. But it
will mean a great destruction of life," returned
Major Okopa, gravely.
What the major said about the Russians fortify-
ing Port Arthur was true. Lieutenant-General
Stoessel, the Russian commander at that place, had
under him sixty thousand men, the very flower of
the Russian army. On the side of the sea the town
was fortified at a dozen points, only three of which
had been thus far captured under the Japanese army
led by General Nogi. To the northward and the
westward were some twenty defenses, set among
the mountains where they were next to impossible to
reach.
In a work of this kind, it is impossible to relate
in detail all of the many battles fought over the
possession of Port Arthur. The first assault was
made in February by Admiral Togo's fleet, and the
naval conflict was kept up for almost three months
after that. In the meantime a Japanese army under
General Oku landed at Pitsewo, and after several
214 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
battles at Kinchow and Nanshan Hill, drove the
Russians back to their mountain defenses and took
possession of the railroad running to Liao-Yang
and Mukden. Thus Port Arthur was cut off fron?
almost all communication with the outside
CHAPTER XXV
BOMBARDING A PORT ARTHUR FORT
LARRY felt very happy after having met Ben and
Gilbert. He had been afraid he should find that his
brother or his friend was wounded, even though no
mention of such an occurrence had been made in the
letter he had received. He knew from experience
that Ben was in the habit of making light of things
that went wrong.
" I suppose it did your heart good to meet 'em
both," said Luke, after the warship was on the way.
" You're right, Luke ; it was a regular touch of
old times."
" Wish I had seen 'em myself."
" Both wanted to be remembered to you." Larry
paused for a moment. " By the way, I wonder
where we are bound now ? "
" Can't say as to that, lad — secret orders, I
reckon," answered the old tar.
The order to sail was evidently an important one,
for scarcely was the Shohirika out of sight of land
than all steam was crowded on. The lookouts were
2l6 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
also doubled, and when night came the strictest
watch possible was maintained.
Yet, with it all, several days passed without any-
thing out of the ordinary happening. Drills and
exercises went on as before, and both Larry and
Luke made themselves familiar with all parts of the
warship. Both spent much time in familiarizing
themselves with such orders as were given to them
in Japanese, so that they might not be too " green,"
as Larry termed it, if put to the test.
During those days spent on shipboard matters
concerning the great war were moving forward
steadily. In the vicinity of Liao-Yang both the
Japanese and the Russians made several movements
to better their positions. This brought on a few
skirmishes and one heavy battle, in which the losses
were several hundreds on each side. There was also
an advance on the outer forts of Port Arthur, and
a fair-sized hill was captured by the Mikado's men,
who, however held the place only at an enormous
loss of life. In moving on the port the Japanese
found they would have to do a great amount of tun-
neling and entrenching, all of which consumed time.
On the ocean the two nations were equally active.
Both took several prizes of war, and in an encounter
with the Vladivostok squadron a Russian warship
was hopelessly disabled and a Japanese cruiser was
BOMBARDING A PORT ARTHUR FORT
all but sunk. Another ship belonging to Admiral
Togo's fleet struck a mine outside of Port Arthur
and had to be sent back to Japan for repairs.
So far the weather had been warm, but autumn
was now at hand and before long the nights became
cold and raw.
" This war won't be finished this winter," said
more than one. " We are in for another year of it,
sure."
The Shohirika had been summoned to join the
fleet patrolling before Port Arthur. Two days be-
fore that station was reached they fell in with a
sister ship which brought the news of an encounter
with a Russian battleship carrying some troops from
Siberia. Both warships had suffered and become
separated in the darkness.
" This war is certainly warming up," said
Larry. " I hope we see some fighting before it
is over."
" Maybe we'll see more of it than you wish," said
Luke, grimly.
" Don't you worry — we'll see a whole lot," put in
Steve Colton, who was sitting on a ditty chest, play-
ing checkers with Bob Stanford. " Just wait till we
get under Admiral Togo's eye — he'll make us be up
and doing."
The chance to see some of the war came the next
218 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
day, when they were ordered to bombard one of the
forts to the north of Port Arthur proper. As soon
as they came within four miles of the fort they re-
ceived a reception which was as warm as it was ex-
citing.
" Now, here is where we show what we can do ! ''
cried Luke, as the orders came to begin firing, and
the whole gun company jumped in to assist him.
The magazines were opened up, the windlasses set
to work, and soon the first real shell — not a mere
blank for practicing — came up and was run into the
gun. Then the breech-block was swung to and
locked, the electric connection set, and Luke sighted
the piece with care, after having first received the
proper distance from the range-finders in the tops.
As soon as the " sight " was " covered " the button
was pressed, and bang! went the gun with a con-
cussion that shook the whole ship. Other guns
followed in rapid succession, until Larry had to stuff
cotton in his ears to keep himself from becoming
deaf. As soon as the gun was discharged, it was
opened to let the gases out and then cleaned with
wet swabs and flushed with running water to cool the
barrel.
The bombardment lasted for an hour, and during
that time the fort was hit in a dozen places. Sand,
dirt, and rocks flew in all directions, and once there
BOMBARDING A PORT ARTHUR FORT 2 19
came a flash which told of an explosion of a quan-
tity of powder.
" If we could only hit the magazine it would be
good-by to that fort," said Larry, but this was not
to be.
After the first few shots the fort had remained
silent, but now, when the Shohirika was about to
retire, the gunners opened up once more, and a rain
of shot and shell flew all around the warship. One
struck the bow of the vessel, tearing off a few feet
of the forward deck and another entered the for-
ward turret, killing one of the gunner's assist-
ants.
" We can be thankful we weren't in that turret,"
said Luke, when he received the latter news.
" Yes, indeed ! " murmured Larry, and could not
repress a shiver. " I can tell you, it's mighty risky
work after all ! " he added, soberly.
" Well, we've got one advantage over those fel-
lows," put in Colton, after the firing had come to an
end, and the warship was fast getting out of range.
" We can run away, while they have got to stay right
where they are."
" Oh, they can run away too," said Larry.
" Not unless they abandon their fort, — and
that would be just as if we should abandon our
ship."
22O AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
The work at the gun had been severe, and after
the bombardment was over Larry was glad to clean
up and take a rest. The perspiration, grime, and
smoke had made him look like a negro, and he used
up several buckets of water before he got himself
into as cleanly a condition as was habitual with him.
Luke also took a " scrubbing down," as he called it,
and so did the others.
What amazed Larry more than anything was the
quietness of the Japanese sailors. Now that the
bombardment was ended they said scarcely a word
about it, but went on exactly as before.
" They are the most matter-of-fact chaps I ever
saw ! " he declared. " I believe if the ship blew up
they would say ' Very sorry ' and swim away. Now
on one of Uncle Sam's ships the men would be all
woke up and out for a jollification. Ben says it's
the same way in the army. If they get excited
at all they always seem to be sorry for it after-
wards ! "
" That's what ye call a characteristic o' the race,
I reckon," returned Luke. " They're taught to act
that way from babyhood. It ain't polite nor high-
toned to git excited* The only thing they kin yell is
Banzai! an' they let thet out loud enough, goodness
knows ! "
" I can't understand why we didn't keep at that
BOMBARDING A PORT ARTHUR FORT 221
fort/' came from Colton. " I was just getting the
range beautifully when orders came to shut down."
" Well, there must be a reason for it, Steve," an-
swered Luke.
There was a reason for it. Admiral Togo had
just received word that certain ships of the Port
Arthur squadron were going to make an attempt to
break out of the harbor, either that night or the next
day. Consequently the Shohirika was needed fur-
ther down the coast, and steamed away in that direc-
tion as rapidly as her somewhat limited supply of
coal permitted.
" I don't think the navy will ever find its way into
Port Arthur harbor," said Larry, later on, after
studying a map of that locality. " There are too
many forts on the hills outside of the town. They
could smash our ships to smithereens if we got too
close."
" Trust Admiral Togo to know what he is doing,"
answered Steve Colton. "He won't go too close.
At the same time he ain't going to let the Russian
ships get away any more than Schley and Sampson
let Admiral Cervera get away from Santiago Har-
bor in Cuba."
" It's the army that will make Port Arthur a hoi-
place to live in," came from Bob Stanford. They
can entrench and thus gain a little ground day by
222 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
day, and as soon as they win some high point, like
say 2O3-Meter Hill, it will be all up with General
Stoessel, mark my words."
The night to follow proved to be misty, and so
cold that the majority of the sailors were glad to
don their heavy pea jackets. Fearing that the enemy
would try to take advantage of the weather, Admiral
Togo turned on all the searchlights his fleet pos-
sessed, and these were flashed in all directions.
" False alarm," said Luke, after midnight had
sounded out on the ship's bell. " Reckon the Rus-
sians don't dare to come out."
But the old Yankee tar was mistaken. The enemy
were on the alert, and at three o'clock, when the
mist was extra heavy, the movement to steal out
of Port Arthur harbor was begun, two torpedo
destroyers taking the lead, and several cruisers fol-
lowing. This brought on a heavy sea-fight lasting
far into the next day, and one which came close to
cost Larry his life.
CHAPTER XXVI
BEN MEETS CAPTAIN BARUSKY
FOR several days poor Ben remained a prisoner
aboard of the small steamer. During that time only
two men came near him — an under officer and the
sailor who supplied him with food and water.
Neither would answer his questions, so he could not
learn where he was being taken or what was to be
done with him.
One evening there was a slight commotion on the
deck, and the course of the steamer was changed.
Then came a blowing of steam whistles lasting sev-
eral minutes. Finally the steamer came to a stand-
still.
"You are to leave this vessel at once," said the
under officer, as he opened the door of the young
captain's temporary prison. " Come, we have no
time to spare."
" Where am I to go ? " questioned Ben.
" You will soon learn. Hurry ! "
There was no help for it, and soon Ben was on
deck. He was made to enter a small boat and was
323
224 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
thus transferred to another steamer — one which had
formerly been in the East Indian trade but which
was now acting as a Russian supply boat.
" What a dirty craft ! " was his mental comment,
after having been thrust into a pen which was little
better than a horse stall. The supply boat was
loaded to its fullest capacity, so quarters for all on
board were limited.
Two days passed and he received food which was
scarcely fit to eat. When he protested he was threat-
ended with a flogging. The air was foul and he
began to fear that he would become sick.
" I won't be able to stand this much longer," he
thought, dismally. " If they want to kill me why
don't they do it at once and have done with
it?"
On the following morning a surprise awaited him.
He heard two Russian officers pause in front of his
pen and one said to the other :
" Here is the prisoner, Captain Barusky."
" Is it the fellow named Russell ? " was the ques-
tion from Captain Barusky, the rascal who had aided
Ivan Snokoff to make so much trouble for Gilbert
Pennington.
" The same."
" They did not capture his friend ? "
" No — in the struggle he slipped away."
BEN MEETS CAPTAIN BARUSKY 225
" I am sorry for that. We wanted Pennington
more than we did this fellow. But I am glad we
got at least one of them. As I understand it they
work hand-in-glove with each other ; " and then the
two Russian officers passed on.
Like a flash Ben realized the truth of the situation.
His taking off had been a trap set by Snokoff and
this Captain Barusky, who had hired the Chunchuses
to help work out their plot. He was now in the
hands of the enemy in more ways than one.
" They won't treat me as an ordinary prisoner,"
he reasoned. " This Captain Barusky will make it
as hard as possible for me — more especially so as
Gilbert managed to escape his clutches. Well, I am
glad Gilbert got away."
Resolved to " take the bull by the horns," Ben
asked the prison guard if he might speak to Captain
Barusky.
" I will see about it," answered the sailor, and
went off to find out. On his return he stated that
the captain would visit the pen some time during the
day.
The Russian officer came late in the afternoon,
when nobody else was near the pen. There was a
sarcastic look on his face when he gazed at the young
captain.
" So you want to talk to me," he said, abruptly.
226 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" I do, Captain Barusky. I want to know why
this plot was laid against me."
" I know of no plot. You are an American in
the employ of the Japanese Government as a
spy. Russia captures all the Japanese spies she
can."
" I am no spy."
The Russian shrugged his shoulders. " That is
what your friend, Captain Pennington, once told me,
too. Yet as soon as he got out of Port Arthur he
was made a captain in the Mikado's army."
" He applied for the position because the Russians
had mistreated him and because he loves active ser-
vice.
M
Have it as you please, Russell ; both of you are
spies, and you will have to suffer as one."
" Where are you taking me ? "
" Since you seem so anxious to know, I will tell
you, for I do not think you will be able to take the
news to the Japanese. This boat is carrying sup-
plies to Port Arthur."
"Port Arthur!"
" That is what I said. When we arrive there
you will be placed in one of the strongest of our
prisons at the port. Do you not admire the pros-
pect?"
" Well, if you take me to Port Arthur, perhaps I
BEN MEETS CAPTAIN BARUSKY
shan't be a prisoner long," replied Ben, resolved to
put on as bold a front as possible.
" And why not ? " demanded Captain Barusky,
curiously.
" Because our army and our navy are bound to
capture the place."
" Bah ! The Japanese will never take Port Ar-
thur. It is absurd to think of it."
" It may not come right away — but it will come
sooner or later."
" Never ! But if it should, you will not be there
to enjoy our downfall. Remember that spies are
tried, and if found guilty they are taken out and
shot."
" You cannot prove that I am a spy."
" That remains to be seen."
" If you bring me before the court I'll have some-
thing to say about your underhanded work with
Ivan Snokoff. I can prove that he is a swindler
and that you are his accomplice."
" Ha ! you threaten me ! " roared Captain Barusky,
in a rage. " Have a care ! I come from a most
respectable family and I have great influence."
" Nevertheless, I think those who are higher in
authority than yourself will listen to my story. The
Russian army officers are as a rule gentlemen and
strictly honest."
228 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" Which means to say that I am not a gentleman
and not honest ! " bellowed Captain Barusky.
" That, for your opinion ! " And reaching out he
gave Ben a ringing box on the ear.
It was the last straw. With no fresh air and no
food fit to eat, the young captain was desperate, and
leaping forward he struck at the Russian captain's
nose. His fist went true, and as Barusky staggered
back against the pen door the blood spurted from his
nasal organ.
" Don't you dare to hit me again ! " panted Ben,
standing before the Russian with both hands
clenched. " Don't you dare — or you'll get the worst
of it!"
His manner made Captain Barusky cower back,
and he glared at Ben with the ferocity of a wild
beast. Then he called to the guard.
" Run for aid, Petrovitch," he said. " The pris-
oner has attacked me. He is a beast, and must be
chained up."
The man addressed summoned three other sailors
and the captain of the ship's guard. All came into
the pen and forced Ben into a corner.
" The Yankee dog ! " said the captain of the
guard. " To dare to strike a Russian officer !
Bring the chains at once ! "
Chains were brought, and soon Ben was bound
BEN MEETS CAPTAIN BARUSKY 229
hands and feet, with links that weighed several
pounds. Then a large staple was driven into one of
the uprights of the pen and he was fastened to this
with a padlock.
"*' Now place him on half-rations," said Captain
Barusky. " It is the only way to tame him." And
then he hurried away to bathe his nose, which was
swelling rapidly.
If Ben had been miserable before he was doubly so
now. The chains were cumbersome and cut into his
flesh, and being fastened to the upright he could
scarcely move a foot either way. To add to his
misery the front of the pen was boarded over, so
that what little light had been admitted to his prison
was cut off.
In this wretched condition he passed a full week.
In that time Captain Barusky came to peep in at him
three times, and on each occasion tried to say some-
thing to make him still more dispirited. The food
was so bad he could not eat and the air often made
his head ache as if it would crack open.
" If this is a sample of Russian prison life it's a
wonder all the prisoners don't go mad," he reasoned.
" A few months of this would surely kill me."
At the end of the week Ben heard firing at a dis-
tance. The supply boat was now trying to steal
into Port Arthur and had been discovered by a
23O AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
Japanese patrol boat. The craft was struck twice
and the prisoner below heard a wild commotion on
the deck, as one of the funnels was carried away.
But darkness favored the Russians, and inside of
two hours the supply boat passed into Port Arthur
harbor without sustaining further damage. She
was then directed to a proper anchorage by the har-
bor master; and on the following day the transfer
of her cargo to the storehouses on shore was
begun.
For several days longer Ben was kept on the boat.
Then, one wet and cold morning, he was liberated
and told to march on deck. From the vessel he was
taken to a big stone building which was being used as
one of the garrison quarters. Here he was given a
scant hearing in the presence of Captain Barusky,
who appeared against him.
" We have no time to investigate your case at
present, Captain Russell," said the officer who con-
ducted the examination. " But from reports I
should surmise that you are a dangerous young man.
You must remain a prisoner." And then the young
captain was taken away. Later on, he was marched
a distance of half a mile and blindfolded. When
the bandage was removed from his eyes, he found
himself in an old stone building, dirty and neglected.
He was taken to a small room, having a grated win-
BEN MEETS CAPTAIN BARUSKY 23!
dow, and thrust inside. Six other prisoners were
put into the apartment with him, one man with a
hacking cough, dreadful to hear. The door was
closed and barred ; and all were left to take care of
themselves as best they could.
CHAPTER XXVII
A FIERCE BATTLE AT SEA
LARRY was taking a nap when the call came to
clear the ship for action. It had been discovered
that the Russian fleet was trying to escape from
Port Arthur harbor, and the news was flashed from
vessel to vessel of Admiral Togo's fleet, and all were
ordered to prevent the movement at any cost.
"Now I reckon we are in fer it!" ejaculated
Luke, as he and the youth rushed over to their gun.
" Larry, it's in my mind we have some tall work cut
out fer us this trip! "
" Let it come — I am in just the humor for fight-
ing ! " cried Larry. " I hope we can smash them
just as we smashed the Spanish ships in Manila
Bay."
Sailors and gunners were hurrying in all direc-
tions, and orders were coming in rapid succession.
At first the Russian ships had turned in one direc-
tion, now they were turning in another, and, later
still, they separated. A distant firing could already
332
A FIERCE BATTLE AT SEA 233
be heard, but where it came from those on the Sho-
hirika could not tell.
So far no ships of the enemy could be seen with
the naked eye. The lookouts kept a close watch,
and the flashlights continued to play all over the
bosom of the rolling sea.
It was almost daylight when a distant explosion
was heard. A Russian torpedo boat had run into a
mine and was so badly damaged that she sank inside
of ten minutes, carrying a large part of her crew
with her.
This disaster proved a warning to the other Rus-
sian ships and they proceeded on their courses with
added caution. The Japanese warships were equally
on the alert, yet, just as the sun came up, one brushed
against a mine and received such damage that she
was practically put out of the contest.
" There is one of the enemy's ships ! " was the cry,
as the mist swept away as if by magic and the sun
came out strongly. " Now is our chance. Banzai! "
" And there is another ship ! " came a moment
later, " and one of our own pounding her as if she
was a witch ! "
Guns were now booming over the water con-
stantly, and from the forts on shore came shots and
shells in rapid succession. Soon the Shohirika was
in the midst of the battle, and then Luke and Larry
234 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
worked over the gun as never before, doing their
full share towards disabling the ship that was trying
to escape up the Manchurian coast.
For over an hour the running fire kept up.
Neither ship dared to put on full speed, for fear
of running into a mine. Solid shot was hurled in
all directions, and the Shohirika received one below
the water line which for the moment looked as if it
might sink the craft. But the ship's carpenter and
his crew got at the leak immediately, driving in a
wedge which quickly stopped the flow of water.
It was hard, exhausting work between decks, and
at the end of an hour Larry felt he must have some
fresh air. Both he and Luke applied for permission
to go on deck, and this permission was readily
granted, for the guns on their side of the warship
were not then in use.
On the deck of the Shohirika they could see what
this battle really meant. Dirt and debris were to be
seen in many places, and half a dozen sailors and
marines had been killed or wounded. Everybody
was bathed in perspiration and grime, and some of
those who worked the big guns were panting like
dogs after a chase.
" It's work, that's what it is," said Luke, running
the perspiration from his begrimed forehead with
his finger. " Ain't no child's play about it! "
A FIERCE BATTLE AT SEA
" And dangerous work at that," added Larry.
He gave a look toward the enemy's ships. " I de-
clare, Luke, I believe they are running back to Port
Arthur harbor ! "
" I think the same, lad," responded the Yankee
gunner. " Reckon they are findin' it is goin' to
cost too much to get away. As soon as they get
away from them land batteries we can pound 'em
for keeps and they know it."
" And get away from the mines. That's the
worst with fighting around here — you don't know
how soon you'll hit a mine and be blown up."
" Oh, I reckon our captain is watching out fer
them pesky things."
Larry was interested in watching the sharp-
shooters and range-finders in the tops, and he walked
across the deck to get a better look at them. Luke
followed, and as he did so, one of the nearest of the
Russian ships sent out a roaring broadside at the
Shohirika which raked her fore and aft and sent
another hole through her side, but this time above the
water line where it did scant damage.
" Gee Christopher ! " began Luke, when he
chanced to glance upward. " Larry, look out ! " he
screamed. " The top's coming down on ye ! '
Luke was right. One of the shots from the enemy
had struck the foremast, above the fighting top, and
236 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
it was crashing down, carrying a portion of the ship's
flag with it. One end struck the gun turret, and
then the wreckage hit Larry on the shoulder, hurling
him on his back.
The foremast was heavy and had it struck the
youth before landing on the turret and the sur-
rounding works it might have killed the young
gunner's mate on the spot. As it was, Larry lay like
a log where he had fallen and when Luke raised
him up the old tar found him unconscious.
"If he ain't got his shoulder broke then I miss
my guess," muttered the Yankee gunner. " Larry !
Larry! Can't ye speak to me? "
" That was a nasty one," came from one of the
officers of the deck. " Better carry him below."
And then the officer gave orders to remove the
wreckage and hoist the flag once more.
With the unconscious youth in his arms, Luke
hurried below and to the sick bay of the warship.
Here the surgeon got to work immediately and
examined Larry thoroughly.
" No bones broken," he announced. " But the
bruise is severe and he is suffering from shock. He
will soon come to his senses."
Luke had to return to his gun, for duty is duty in
the navy, regardless of what is happening around
one. It was true, the Russian warships were now
A FIERCE BATTLE AT SEA 237
doing their best to sneak back into Port Arthur har-
bor and Admiral Togo wanted to do all the damage
possible before the forts made it impossible to follow
them further. All of the warships' guns were
worked to their utmost, and when the Russian ves-
sels did get back they were so badly crippled that
they were of small consequence for future fighting
until undergoing repairs.
When Larry opened his eyes again he found him-
self lying on a clean white cot in the ship's hospital
with an attendant standing over him bathing his
face.
" Oh ! " he murmured and stared around him.
" Oh, my shoulder ! That was a fearful crack I
got!"
The attendant did not understand, but smiled
blandly and continued to bathe his face and also his
head. Soon the full realization of what had hap-
pened came to the young gunner's mate. Then he
asked about Luke.
The fighting was at an end and presently Luke
came to him, to find Larry sitting up in a chair.
" I feel stiff and sore all over, Luke," said the
youth. " It was just as if a house came down on
me."
" Thank fortune you wasn't killed, or didn't have
your bones broken," returned the Yankee gunner.
238 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" I am thankful. Were you hurt ? "
" Not in the least."
"What about the fight?"
" The Russians have sneaked back into the harbor
like a lot of whipped dogs."
" What is our ship doing? "
" Putting up the coast. I don't know where we
are going," answered Luke.
Larry remained in the ship's hospital for three
days and then resumed his duties as before. His
shoulder still felt stiff and sore and lifting anything
was a good deal of labor. But Luke favored him,
so he got along very well.
A week passed and the Shohirika remained at sea,
moving in a wide circle, on the lookout for Russian
warships or supply boats. But none were encoun-
tered, and then the cruiser was ordered to escort a
transport filled with soldiers bound for the front.
The transport landed at a point some miles north
of Dalny and the troops went ashore without delay.
They were bound for the railroad, and were to par-
ticipate in the advance upon Port Arthur from that
point.
As the warship remained in the harbor several
days, both Luke and Larry were allowed a short run
on shore. They enjoyed this trip very much, until,
much to their surprise, they learned that Major
A FIERCE BATTLE AT SEA 239
Okopa's command was in the vicinity. Then they
hunted this up, to learn the sad news from Gilbert
that Ben was missing.
"Missing!" ejaculated Larry, in horror.
"Taken by Chunchuses! Oh, Gilbert, this is
dreadful!"
" Well, I don't know as you feel any worse than I
do, Larry," answered Gilbert. " It makes me wild
to think of it."
" But couldn't you find any trace of him at all ? "
" Not the slightest, although I think he was
carried off in a boat."
" But why should the Chinese brigands make
him a prisoner ? "
" I'm sure I don't know, excepting to hold him
for a ransom. But if they intended to do that it is
likely we should have heard from them before this."
The matter was discussed as long as Larry and
Luke could remain on shore. But nothing came of
it, and with a heavy heart the young gunner's mate
returned to his place on the warship.
CHAPTER XXVIII
THE SIEGE OF PORT ARTHUR
AFTER the fruitless effort to escape from Port
Arthur harbor the Russian warships " bottled up "
there remained where they were for a long time to
come. Occasionally one or another attempted to
run the blockade, but results were usually disastrous,
and at last the risk became so great nothing more
was done in that direction. The Japanese continued
to put down mines and sank several boats loaded
with stone in or near the winding channel, and this
made getting in as hard as getting out — thus putting
a stop to the arrival of more supply boats, such as
brought Ben to the seaport.
In the meantime the campaign on land was pushed
forward with increased activity. The headquarters
of the Japanese army investing Port Arthur was not
far from the railroad, but the lines stretched many
miles to the east and the west. Troops were hurried
both from Japan and from the divisions near Liao-
Yang, and heavy siege guns were mounted on every
available hilltop. The Japanese were, at the start,
240
THE SIEGE OF PORT ARTHUR 24!
at a great disadvantage — they could not see the
enemy at which they were firing. Hills and moun-
tains cut them off from every view of the port. But
they kept hammering away, day after day, week
after week, and month after month, gaining steadily,
throwing up new intrenchments, digging new tun-
nels, and hauling their heavy guns forward to more
advantageous positions. The labor was body rack-
ing and the sacrifice of life enormous. But the
Mikado's soldiers did not appear to care. They had
set out to capture Port Arthur and they were going
to do it.
For the foot-soldiers and for the cavalry there
was at the start but little to do in the way of fighting.
Most of the time was spent in digging trenches and
tunnels, and in keeping out of the way of shells that
whistled and screamed in all directions — shells
weighing hundreds of pounds, which, when they
struck, tore up the ground for yards around and
smashed the rocks as if the latter were passing
through a quartz crusher. Such is war of modern
times, when carried on at a distance of miles.
But as the months went by, and Japanese and
Russians came closer to each other, hand-to-hand
conflicts became numerous. The Russians contested
every foot of the ground, fighting with a courage
that was truly heroic, and sacrificing themselves
242 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
freely for the Czar and the country they loved. The
hand-to-hand conflicts became bloody in the extreme,
thousands upon thousands being slaughtered be-
tween the rising and the setting of the sun.
From the seacoast the command to which Gilbert
was attached moved to a small place called Fugi
Klan. Here they went into camp for several weeks
and while there were joined by a number of other
commands, including that containing those old sol-
diers of fortune, Dan Casey and Carl Stummer, who
had served with Gilbert and Ben in Cuba and in the
Philippines.
" Py chiminy, of it ton't done mine heart goot to
see you, cabtain ! " exclaimed Carl Stummer, rush-
ing up and giving Gilbert a handshake. " How you
peen, annavay ? "
" First rate, Stummer. And how are you,
Casey?"
" Sure an' it's meself is as foine as a fiddle,"
answered the Irishman, with a broad grin on his
freckled face. " It's a great war, ain't it now ?
Both soides is fightin' like a pair o' Kilkenny cats, so
they are! An' where is me ould friend, Captain
Russell?"
" He was captured by Chunchuses."
" No ! " came from both Stummer and Casey, and
then they poured in a volley of questions which were
THE SIEGE OF PORT ARTHUR 243
bewildering. Gilbert answered them as best he
could.
" Dot's der vorst ding vot I hear yet alretty ! " said
Carl Stummer, with a sad shake of his head. " I
vish I got dem Chunchusers — or vot you call dem —
here. I fix 'em, eh, Tan ? "
Dan Casey nodded vigorously. " Sure an' we'd
be after puttin' a ball through ivery mother's son
of 'em, so we would ! Poor Ben Russell ! I loiked
him loike a brother ! " And the honest Irish sharp-
shooter heaved a long sigh.
Both Casey and Stummer had been having easy
times of it for several weeks, but now they were
called upon to go forth with pick and shovel, to do
their share of work in digging intrenchments. This
was not so nice, but they went at the labor without
a murmur.
" Sure an' we might as well git into practice," ob-
served Casey, as he started in with vigor. " Whin
the war's over an' we git back to the States, it may
be ourselves as will be workin' fer the corporation in
New York or ilsewhere ! "
" Yah, udder puttin' town railroad dracks alretty
in der Vest," answered Carl Stummer. " Dot is," he
added, " of I ton't got money enough to puy a farm."
" Tis a stock farm I'm wantin'," came from
Casey. " Wid horses galore. There's money for
244 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
ye, Carl ! " And he went to work with added vigor
— as if he expected to turn up the stock farm from
the soil beneath him.
To Gilbert, even though he occasionally saw
Stummer and Casey, the days were very lonely. He
missed Ben greatly, and each day wondered if he
would ever see his old war chum again. Major
Okopa saw this and did what he could to cheer up
the young officer.
" He may turn up before you realize it," said the
major. " I don't think he was killed."
" If he is alive, it is very strange that we do not
hear from him."
Two days later came a batch of letters into camp,
written, or rather painted, for the most part, on thin
Japanese paper. Among the communications were
two for Gilbert, one from Captain Ponsberry con-
cerning the Columbia and her cargo, and the other
from a stranger in Pekin, China.
" Who can be writing to me from Pekin, China ? "
mused the young captain, and began to read the com-
munication with interest. It was from a Chinese
merchant, and ran in part as follows :
" You will be mystified to receive this from an
utter stranger, but I deem it my duty, kind sir, to
send this word to you.
THE SIEGE OF PORT ARTHUR 245
" Know, then, that one Ken Gow, a servant of my
family, was in Port Arthur up to sixteen days ago —
first a servant in an American family there, and next
a prisoner in the vilest prison man ever saw, guarded
by dogs of Russians unworthy to be used as door
mats. Ken Gow is a faithful man, the flower of all
my help.
" It is needless to explain to you why my servant
was thus ill-treated. But you must know that when
in prison he met your great friend Captain Benjamin
Russell, and it was the captain who saved Ken Gow
from many hard blows from the other prisoners,
who wanted not a Chinaman amongst them.
" Ken Gow was grateful, even as I am grateful,
and he promised to get word to you of this matter
if the Russians granted him his liberty. Finding no
fault in my servant he was, after a time, liberated,
and watching his chance, left Port Arthur and came
home.
" Kind sir, he is grateful to Captain Russell and
would do much for him if he could. Yet his most
is to send this letter to you, telling you that Captain
Russell is alive and held in a Port Arthur prison
as a spy. One Russian hates him — his name, Cap-
tain Barusky, — and it would appear that this Rus-
sian is also your enemy, so beware of him.
" I can tell no more. Ken Gow is sick from his
AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
treatment at the hands of the Russian dogs. Accept
this miserable assurance of my eternal friendship,
and esteem for one I know must be high and
illustrious.
" CHENG Mo."
Gilbert read the letter several times and showed it
to Major Okopa. It was written in true Chinese
style, with a big Chinese seal attached, and was,
beyond all doubt, genuine.
" I can't understand one thing," said the young
captain. " How did Ben get to Port Arthur ? "
" It may be that this Captain Barusky had him
taken there, Captain Pennington."
" I thought Captain Barusky was at Mukden."
" The Russians have been taking in some troops
at Port Arthur on the sly. Despite Admiral Togo's
efforts, some supply boats and transports have passed
his ships."
" If Barusky is there he will do what he can to
make Ben miserable. He is down on both of us —
for he knows we are down on him and Ivan Sno-
koff."
" Do you think Snokoff could have anything to do
with this?"
" I'm sure I don't know. Anything is possible.
Snokoff would be glad to make trouble for Ben —
THE SIEGE OF PORT ARTHUR 247
since he helped me to make him settle up at Liao-
Yang. Those Chunchuses tried to capture both of
us."
The matter was talked over for half an hour, but
brought forth no satisfaction. To Gilbert's mind,
being held by the Russians as a spy was as bad as
being in the hands of the Chinese brigands.
" I wish we could get into Port Arthur at once,"
he said, finally. " I shouldn't like anything better
than to capture this Captain Barusky and liberate
Ben."
" We are bound to get into the port sooner or
later," answered Major Okopa. " They are bring-
ing up more siege guns every day. If the Russians
won't give up we'll batter the whole town down over
their heads."
" Which will be a bad thing for Ben," rejoined
Gilbert. " I don't want him killed in the attempt
to rescue him."
CHAPTER XXIX
FROM ONE DIFFICULTY TO ANOTHER
" WHERE is this going to end ? "
It was Ben who asked himself the question, as he
walked up and down the narrow cell in which he had
been confined in the prison at Port Arthur.
What had been written to Gilbert in the letter from
Pekin had been substantially correct. Ben had aided
Ken Gow in numerous ways, and for this the China-
man had been extremely grateful and had promised
to do all he could for the young captain should he
manage to escape from the blockaded seaport. Then
Ken Gow had disappeared one night, and that was
the last Ben saw of him.
Three days later a guard entered the prison and
announced that the prisoners were to be transferred
to other quarters. With his hands bound behind
him, Ben was marched forth through a side street of
Port Arthur, where stood an old building which had
formerly been used as a market. Cells had been
built in this structure, and into one of these he was
thrust, the guard sarcastically telling him to make
himself as comfortable as possible.
348
FROM ONE DIFFICULTY TO ANOTHER 249
The young captain was sick in both body and
mind and fast reaching that point where one becomes
desperate and fit for any deed of daring. More than
once he was tempted to throw himself on the guard
in an endeavor to overpower the fellow and escape.
But he realized that if caught at this he would be
immediately shot down.
Day after day passed, and from outside the pris-
oner heard the dull booming of cannon. Occa-
sionally a shell would explode close to the prison,
causing a wild yell of alarm and a general rush by
those outside. There were flags over the prisons
and over the hospitals, showing what manner of
places they were, but, as said before, the Japanese
were at a loss to see what they were firing at, so
many shots and shells went where they were not in-
tended. These mishaps were what caused the re-
port to circulate that the Mikado's men were not
fighting according to the rules of modern warfare,
but were doing their best to shatter the hospitals in
which lay their own and the Russian wounded.
It was a cold, raw day, with a touch of snow in
the air, and Ben felt one of his desperate moods
coming over him. His hands and feet were free
and he peered forth from the one narrow window
that the cell contained. All he could see beyond was
a courtyard, surrounded by a stone wall.
25O AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" I wish I was out there — I'd get over that wall
somehow ! " he muttered to himself.
The cell window was not over fifteen or sixteen
inches wide and twice that in height. The bars were
of iron, but set in wooden frames but a few inches
in thickness.
" A fellow might smash out those bars with the
bench end," he thought. " But after that what? I
reckon the guard in the courtyard would shoot me
on sight. I might try it at night."
Still in a desperate mood, Ben picked up the bench,
a solid affair several feet long. He made an imag-
inary lunge at the window bars with it.
" Pll wager I could knock them out with one blow.
They "
Ben got no further, for at the moment a fearful
explosion sounded somewhere overhead. The ex-
plosion was followed by a crash and a wild yell of
alarm. A Japanese shell had struck the top of the
building, tearing away fully a quarter of the roof
and sending the bricks and timbers flying in all direc-
tions.
" Now is my chance ! " he muttered, and without
stopping to think twice he rammed the window bars
as hard as he could with the bench. A second and
third blow followed, and down went the irons, carry-
ing a portion of the window frame with them.
FROM ONE DIFFICULTY TO ANOTHER 2$ I
Then through the opening leaped the young captain.
As he landed in the courtyard, he picked up a small
log of wood lying handy.
A glance around told him that the guard was no-
where in sight, the Russian having run to the other
side of the building to note the damage done by the
shell. Log in hand, Ben leaped quickly across the
courtyard and placed the bit of wood up against the
wall. This gave him a footing, and in a twinkling
he was on top of the wall.
But though he acted quickly a guard from the
prison building saw him and ran forth gun in hand.
" Halt ! " came the command, in Russian, and
then, raising his weapon, the guard fired at Ben.
The bullet whistled over the young captain's head,
and without looking back to see who had fired it, he
dropped on the other side of the wall. Then he
sprinted up the street and around a corner.
Ben knew not where to go, but his one thought
was to put distance between himself and the prison,
and he hurried on and on, until he came to a barn
which stood open. Into this he darted, to find the
building empty of occupants.
The Japanese had begun a general bombardment
of Port Arthur and shot and shells were flying in
all directions. This being the case, the majority of
the troops and the inhabitants were out of sight, —
AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
hid away in cellars and dugouts. Nobody paid any
attention to him and he was thus given ample time
in which to think matters over and decide upon his
next movement.
From the barn Ben moved to the building next
door — which was a sort of dwelling and storehouse
combined. Here, from the wide open doorway, he
gazed at the scene of destruction before him. It
was full of horror and made him shiver.
" War is certainly a terrible thing," he thought.
He saw some people running for their lives, and
beheld one man go down struck in the back by a
shell. Then he turned away to shut out the sight.
In one room of the warehouse he found an old
overcoat and a slouch hat, and lost no time in don-
ning these, both as a disguise and to keep himself
warm. Then he hunted around for something to
eat, but could not find a mouthful.
" I might have known there would be no food
squandered," he told himself. " Didn't they say at
the prison that they were slaughtering the horses
just for the meat, and that butter and eggs were
worth their weight in gold? I'll be lucky to get
bread and soup — especially as I haven't a dollar with
which to pay for a meal."
Ben was about to leave the warehouse when he
saw a file of Russian soldiers approaching. With
FROM ONE DIFFICULTY TO ANOTHER 253
the soldiers were two officers, and as they came closer
he recognized one as Captain Barusky.
" It was a bad thing to let that American escape,"
said the captain to the other officer. " If you catch
sight of him, shoot him on the spot."
" Which we shall do with pleasure," was the ready
answer; and then officers and soldiers passed on.
" I've got to keep out of sight, that's all there is
to that," reasoned Ben, grimly. " If they catch me
again it's all up with me. I wonder if it would be
possible to get out of Port Arthur ? Gilbert got out,
but things weren't half so closely guarded as they
are now."
Ben waited until nightfall before leaving the ware-
house. Then, keeping a constant lookout for Rus-
sian soldiers, he sneaked along one street after
another. Where to go he did not know, but he
realized that he must have something to eat or he
would starve.
Presently he came to a small garden in the center
of which was a neat-looking residence. On the door-
plate was the name Nathan Chase.
"Nathan Chase!" Ben cried, half aloud. "I
wonder if that can be the gentleman Gilbert knew?
If it is perhaps he will aid me."
At first the young captain thought to ring the
doorbell, but fearful of meeting the wrong person
254 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
he resolved to investigate in a more private manner.
The side windows of the residence were curtained,
but the curtains were only partly down. Going to
one of the windows he peered inside.
In a neatly furnished sitting room sat a young
lady and a Russian soldier. They were arguing
about something — money matters as far as Ben
could make out. The young lady did not wish to
give the soldier the money and he insisted upon
having it. While Ben gazed at the scene, the Rus-
sian soldier leaped up, grasped the young lady by the
shoulders and shook her roughly.
" Don't ! " screamed the young lady, in English.
"Let me go!"
" I want the money ! " answered the soldier, in his
native tongue. He was a Cossack and of brutal
features.
The young lady was pretty and she was helpless,
and this combination was more than the young cap-
tain could resist. Regardless of consequences, he
shoved up the window and leaped inside the apart-
ment.
" Keep your hands off of that young lady ! " he
cried, and catching the Cossack by the shoulder he
threw him backward. " Don't you know how to
treat a lady when you meet her, you big brute ? "
The Cossack was startled, first because he had not
FROM ONE DIFFICULTY TO ANOTHER 255
expected the interruption and secondly because he
had no business to be in the mansion. He gave one
look at Ben and then rushed out into the hallway and
left the premises with all possible speed.
As soon as the Cossack was gone the young lady
and Ben stared at each other. She started to speak,
but stopped suddenly.
" Excuse me for coming in as I did, but I thought
it was necessary," said the young captain. " I guess
that fellow had no business here."
" You are right, sir. Papa is away, and he
wanted me to give him money. He must have
known I was alone in the house."
" Are you Miss Chase? "
" I am. But you have the advantage of me."
" I know it. I am Captain Benjamin Russell.
Perhaps you know an old friend of mine, Gilbert
Pennington. He knows your father, I believe."
" Oh, yes, I have met Captain Pennington.
They tell me he is now in the Japanese army."
" He is." Ben paused and looked at the young
lady keenly. " Miss Chase, can I trust you ? " he
asked, abruptly.
" What do you mean ? "
" I will tell you," and in a few brief words he
related his story, to which Grace Chase listened with
close attention.
AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" You were lucky to escape from that prison ! " she
cried, when he had finished. " To be sure I will
assist you as far as I can. Papa is away on busi-
ness, but I expect him back in two or three hours.
We haven't much on hand to eat, but such as there is
you are welcome to."
" I'm hungry enough to eat anything," said Ben,
with a little smile.
" Then come with me to the dining room, Captain
Russell, and I will prepare supper."
" You haven't any servants now, I suppose? "
" No; every one of them has deserted us."
They entered the dining room, and the young lady
asked Ben to close the shutters. While he was doing
this she prepared such a meal as the larder of the
house afforded. It was not much, but he did not
complain, and he thanked her warmly for giving
what he felt she could ill afford to set before him.
The meal finished, they sat down to await the
coming of Mr. Chase. While doing this Ben related
some of his experiences in the army and the young
lady told of the horrors of the siege.
" One cannot understand it unless you are in the
midst of it," she said. " Papa says business is at a
standstill, the hospitals are filled with the sick and the
wounded, and we are in constant dread that the next
moment will be our last. The suspense is so great
FROM ONE DIFFICULTY TO ANOTHER 257
that in one or two cases the inhabitants have gone
crazy."
" I can well believe that, Miss Chase. During the
war in the Philippines I saw "
Ben paused, as a heavy footstep sounded on the
porch of the residence. Other footsteps followed,
and then came a loud knock on the door.
" Open here ! " demanded a voice in Russian.
" Open, in the name of the Czar ! "
A SURPRISE FOR LARRY
As the days passed, the watch upon Port Arthur
from the sea became closer and closer. Admiral
Togo gave strict orders that no ships should be
allowed to enter or come from the harbor under any
circumstances, and each commander of a warship
was on his mettle, knowing full well that if he was
derelict in his duty he would speedily hear from his
superior in a manner far from pleasant.
Blockading became something of a monotony to
Larry and Luke, and after several weeks had passed
both wished something would happen.
" I'd rather put up with a stiff sea fight than this,"
declared the young gunner's mate.
" Right ye are, lad," replied the old Yankee tar.
" Ain't no use o' bein' ready for a tussle if it ain't
comin'. As it now is, life in the navy ain't no more
excitin' nor life on the old Columbia"
During that time Larry received a letter from
Captain Ponsberry, similar in contents to that sent
to Gilbert. The Japanese Government had released
a$8
A SURPRISE FOR LARRY 259
the cargo of the schooner and then bought the same
at a good round price. The ship had also been re-
leased, Captain Ponsberry having to pay a nominal
sum for this action.
" I think the captain is lucky to get off so easily,"
said Larry. "I suppose the Japanese Government
might have scooped in everything."
" Well, the Japs think it best to remain friendly
to the United States," answered Luke, and it
is likely that the old sailor was more than half
right.
Cold weather had come in earnest and work on
deck was far from pleasant. Yet each man on the
Shohirika had to do his full duty as before, and,
be it said to their credit, not a sailor or marine did
any shirking. Gun drills and various exercises were
kept up constantly.
One day the warship ran close to a big trading
brig bound for Hong-Kong. As was the custom,
the brig stopped to allow the commander of the Sho-
hirika to make certain that she was not carrying con-
trabands of war for Russia or had no intentions of
running the blockade.
While this examination was going on, Larry and
Luke chanced to come on deck, curious to have a
look at the stranger.
" About as big a brig as I ever see in these parts,"
260 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
was the Yankee tar's comment. " She must carry a
whopping cargo."
" Yes, and a lot of men to man her," answered
Larry. " Think of hoisting and furling such sails
as she carries ! "
The two vessels had come fairly close to each
other, and our friends continued to survey the brig
with interest. Then Larry gave a cry.
" Oh, Luke, I wish I had a glass ! "
"Why?"
" Unless I am mistaken, there is Shamhaven on
the deck of that ship ! "
"No!"
Larry pointed with his hand. " Doesn't that look
like him ? " he continued.
" Keelhaul me, if I don't think you're right, lad.
Wait, I'll get a glass an' make certain ! "
The old tar knew where he could borrow a glass,
and in a minute more he returned, and both took a
brief look through the instrument.
" It is Shamhaven ! " ejaculated Larry. " And
look, there is Peterson coming from the fo'castle ! "
" That's so. What ye goin' to do about it? "
" Tell the officer of the deck. They shan't get off
with my money if I can help it."
Rushing away, Larry soon acquainted the proper
officer with what he had discovered — telling as much
A SURPRISE FOR LARRY
about the robbery as seemed necessary. The officer
was interested, and, what was even more to the
point, liked the young American.
" Do you wish to go to yonder ship and confront
the men ? " he asked.
" Try me and see ! " answered Larry, excitedly.
" I mean, yes, sir," he stammered. " And will you
let Luke Striker go, too? "
The officer agreed, and soon another small boat
put off from the warship, and Larry and Luke, with
the officer, were speedily landed on the deck of the
brig.
" You're a fine rascal, to rob me ! " cried Larry,
rushing up to Shamhaven. " And to rob Captain
Ponsberry, too ! "
Shamhaven had not expected this encounter, and
for the moment he was dumbstruck. He gazed
from Larry to Luke as if they were ghosts.
"I — I — who are you, anyway?" he stammered.
" I don't know you," he added, striving to regain
his composure.
" Yes, you do know me, and you know Luke
Striker, too," answered the young gunner's mate.
" What does this mean ? " asked the captain of the
brig, while a number of others looked on with
interest.
" I'll tell you what it means, sir," said Larry, and
262 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
did so. " He has got to give up my money belt and
my money, and give up Captain Ponsberry's money,
too."
At this moment Peterson came up and was
promptly collared by Luke.
" Stop ! Don't you vos touch me ! " cried Peter-
son. " I ain't noddings done, no."
" You helped Shamhaven to rob me," came from
Larry.
" No, he done it all alone ! I no touch nod-
dings!"
" Oh, shut up ! " roared Shamhaven, in disgust.
" I never robbed anybody. If you lost your money
Peterson must have taken it."
A quarrel ensued between the evildoers, in the
midst of which came a cry from the Shohirika.
" An enemy is in sight ! "
At once all attention was turned to the warship.
Scarcely a minute elapsed when a signal was dis-
played :
" A battleship, and she is trying to escape up the
coast ! "
" To the boats ! " roared the Japanese officer on
the deck of the brig. " To the boats at once ! This
investigation will have to be postponed. We shall
expect you to remain as you are " — the latter words
to the captain of the big brig.
A SURPRISE FOR LARRY 263
"As you will," was the smooth answer.
A rush was made for the two small boats, Larry
and Luke being hustled along with the crowd.
Soon they put off for the warship, which was al-
ready preparing to follow the Russian battleship
that had been seen.
" I didn't get my money, after all," grumbled
the youth. "But perhaps I'll get it later — if
that ship of the enemy doesn't sink us," he
added.
As soon as they were on board of the Shohirika
again, the cruiser started after the battleship. But
the enemy had a good lead, and it was some time
before the Japanese warship could command a full
head of steam, which meant everything to her.
Then, when steam was to be had in plenty, there
came a breakdown in the engine room, causing a
delay of twenty minutes.
" We'll never catch her, — at least, not to-day,"
said Luke, and he was right. Darkness found the
battleship still three miles away. Half a dozen shots
were fired at her, but none took effect. Then night
ended the pursuit.
In the morning nothing was to be seen of the
enemy and those on the Japanese warship were much
depressed, for they had fancied that an encounter
might add greatly to their laurels. But shortly
264 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
before noon the lookout announced the approach of
another ship.
" A Russian cruiser ! " was the cry.
This was correct — the vessel was the auxiliary
cruiser, Pontomuk, formerly a steamer in the
Siberian trade. She was manned by a fierce and
swarthy-looking body of sailors and marines, and
carried a first and second battery of no mean pro-
portions.
" I'll wager we have got some work cut out for
us now," said Larry, and he was right. Finding
she could not run away from the Shohirika the Rus-
sian auxiliary cruiser came steaming up and let drive
at close range, — a broadside that raked the Japanese
warship from end to end with deadly effect. The
Shohirika answered immediately, and both the steer-
ing wheel and the rudder were smashed on the
enemy's ship.
" Phew ! but this is hot work ! " panted Larry, as
all those around the gun worked like Trojans.
"An* it's going to be hotter! " ejaculated Luke.
He sighted the piece with care. " There, Sally
Jane, let her go ! " And he pressed the electric but-
ton. Bang! went the gun with a roar that was
deafening. Then the breech was thrown open and
the smoke rolled out, filling the air with a smell that
made them cough and sneeze. But nobody stopped
A SURPRISE FOR LARRY 265
work. In a trice the gun was cleaned and cooled
and another shell pushed into place, and then the
firing was repeated.
" She's coming alongside ! " was the announce-
ment from on deck. " All hands to repel boarders ! "
" A hand-to-hand fight ! " cried Larry, and
scarcely had the words been uttered when there
came a bump that hurled half the sailors flat. Up
they sprang, and as order after order was delivered
the marines and others ran for their guns and cut-
lasses, while the officers saw to it that their pistols
were ready for use.
A wild, maddening yell came from the deck of the
Russian ship, as marines and sailors poured over
the side. An answering Banzai issued from the
Japanese, and they met the first onslaught with
vigor. Then came a fierce tramping over the deck,
as the two conflicting parties moved first to one side
and then the other.
" We are ordered up ! " cried Larry, a few minutes
later. " Here is where we have got to fight for it,
Luke!"
" Right you are, lad. Do your best, and trust to
Heaven for the rest ! " was the Yankee tar's reply,
and then, cutlasses in hand, both mounted to the
deck, to engage in the fiercest hand-to-hand en-
counter either of them had ever experienced.
CHAPTER XXXI
A CALL TO REPEL BOARDERS
IT was a battle royal from the start and for some
time neither side had an advantage. Pistol shot was
met by pistol shot, and a rifle gun placed on the
upper deck of the Russian warship was balanced
in execution by a similar gun mounted on the Sho-
hirika. The slaughter created by both weapons was
frightful, a dozen or more going down on either
side each time a gun was discharged.
When Larry and Luke came out on desk the spec-
tacle was enough to make the blood of the youth
run cold, and it was only his previous experience
in warfare which rendered him capable of doing
what he knew was his duty.
" Charge on them ! " came the cry in Japanese.
" Kill them, or drive them back to their ship !
Banzai! "
"Banzai! Banzai Nippon!" was the yell.
"Hurrah for Japan!"
The Japanese had not expected a hand-to-hand
fight and the closing in of the enemy aroused them
266
A CALL TO REPEL BOARDERS 267
as they had never been aroused before. For the first
time Larry saw the sailors and marines awakened
to their full fighting fury — a fury in which every
Japanese scorns death and thinks that to die is
glory for himself, his family, and his emperor.
They leaped on the Russians with a ferocity that
was appalling, and that first shock sent the
Czar's men back to the deck from which they had
come.
But the Russians were likewise aroused, and with
cheers and yells they came on once more, leaping
over the bodies of those who had fallen, and meeting
shot with shot and cutlass stroke with cutlass stroke.
Officers and men fought side by side, and many went
down to a common death.
By instinct Larry and Luke kept close together,
with the others from Luke's gun near at hand, and
Steve Colton and Bob Stanford not far away. Each
used his cutlass as best he could, warding off the
blows of the enemy and dealing cuts whenever a
chance appeared. Larry was glad that he had
learned to use a cutlass so well, and soon found
himself the match of almost any Russian who chal-
lenged him.
The fighting was now spread over the decks of
both vessels, which were hooked together tightly and
pounding broadside at every swell of the ocean. To
268 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
attempt to blow up either ship would have been
fatal probably to both — one dragging down the
other — so no such attempt was made.
While the fighting was at its height, Larry sud-
denly found himself face to face with a Russian
lieutenant of marines. The fellow had a pistol in
his hand, and as Larry raised his cutlass to strike, he
dropped the weapon on a level with the youth's
head and pulled the trigger.
Had the bullet sped as intended it is likely Larry
would have been killed. But just as the trigger fell
Luke, who was at Larry's side, knocked the pistol
to one side with his cutlass and the bullet merely
grazed Larry's hair. Then Larry leaped forward
and gave the Russian lieutenant a thrust in the side
which put the fellow out of the fight instantly.
For fully fifteen minutes the battle had now raged
and it was growing hotter each instant. All of the
available men on each ship were in the fray, and the
cries and yells which resounded were deafening.
" We certainly can't keep this fight up much
longer ! " panted Larry. He had a cut on his left
hand and one in the shoulder, but kept on with
dogged determination.
" Well, we ain't goin' to surrender ! " grunted
Luke. " It's fight or die, I guess ! " And he leaped
forward once more.
A CALL TO REPEL BOARDERS 269
Two tall Russians were directly in front of the
old Yankee giuiner, and both fell upon him with
their cutlasses at the same instant. Luke was
capable of warding off the weapon of one, but he
was no match for the pair, and it speedily looked as
if they would surely kill him.
" Back with ye! " he yelled, and swung his cutlass
as rapidly as he could, but they crowded him still
closer and then one made a thrust at his face and an-
other at his body.
It was at this critical moment that Larry, who
had been engaged with somebody else, saw his old
war chum's predicament. With a leap he gained
Luke's side, and down came his cutlass with a sweep-
ing blow on the wrist of one of the enemy. The
Russian dropped his cutlass to the deck and stag-
gered back, his hand almost severed from his arm.
Then Luke slashed the other Russian across the
cheek, and both of the enemy hurried back behind
the other fighters.
" Good f er you, Larry ! " panted Luke, when he
could speak. " They had me about cornered ! "
" These fellows certainly know how to put up a
stiff fight."
" You're wounded yourself. Better go below."
" No, I'm going to see it out. Why don't you go
down yourself ? "
2/O AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" It ain't in me, that's why," answered the old
Yankee gunner.
Again came a fierce onslaught from the Russians.
But the Japanese now had another rifle gun in
place, and sharpshooters were crowding the fighting
tops. The latter picked off the Russian officers, and
this created a momentary confusion. Then came a
sudden order to unlock the two ships and this was
done.
" The Russian ship is going down ! " was the
yell, and the news proved true. An explosion be-
low decks had torn a hole in the Russian warship's
bottom and she began to sink rapidly.
The scene was now indescribable. Both the Rus-
sians and the Japanese on the doomed vessel en-
deavored to reach the deck of the Shohirika. In
this struggle the majority of the Russians re-
ceived the worst of it, and fully fifty of them, in-
cluding not a few wounded, remained on board
when the doomed warship took her final plunge be-
neath the waters of the sea. Eighteen Japanese
were likewise drowned, including two under officers.
" Surrender, or we will drive you over the side ! "
was the command from the Japanese, and utterly dis-
heartened by the loss of their ship, the Russians
threw down their arms; and the fierce and bloody
contest was at an end. The common sailors were
A CALL TO REPEL BOARDERS 271
driven forward and chained together or bound with
ropes, and the officers were grouped near the stern,
where a formal surrender was made by the captain
of the lost ship giving up his sword. This formal-
ity over, the Japanese set to work at once, cleaning
up the deck and caring for the wounded as well as
the hospital accommodations of the Shohirika would
permit.
" I never wish to see another fight like that," was
Larry's comment, when he had washed up and had
his wounds dressed. " It was simply a slaughter ! "
" Right you are, lad," answered Luke. " An' I
reckon I'm a-goin' to carry the scars o' it down to
my grave." The old Yankee gunner had received
several severe wounds, and he was glad enough to
have Larry swing his hammock for him and lie down
to rest.
The battle over, the captain of the Shohirika
sailed away, to look for the big brig once more and
to report to the flagship of the fleet. But the brig
had taken time by the forelock and left for parts un-
known.
" I suppose that is the last of Shamhaven and
Peterson and my money," said Larry, when this
news reached him. " I wish we had met that brig
a week ago."
" Oh, it's possible we may see her again," said
2/2 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
Luke, cheerfully. " But it gets me that she ran
away, unless she had something to run for."
" She must have been carrying some contraband
of war, Luke."
" It ain't unlikely, lad. Well, she's gone, an' it
ain't no use to cry over spilt milk. When you write
to Captain Ponsberry you can tell him ye saw them
two rascals an' thet's all the good it did."
" Do you know what I'm thinking? "
"Well?"
" I'm thinking that brig was bound for Port
Arthur, and she'll slip into that port some dark and
misty night."
" It's a risky piece o' business. Either our ships
or the mines are likely to blow her up."
" That is true. But the Russians at the port must
be getting desperate, and they'll most likely pay any
kind of a price for supplies. A captain who ran
the blockade successfully could make a fortune,"
returned Larry.
The young gunner's mate was right in his sur-
mise. The big brig was a Russian vessel in dis-
guise and loaded to her fullest capacity with supplies
for the blockaded seaport. She had been fitted out
at Vladivostok, but had taken a wide sea course, so
as to pretend to have set sail from Nagasaki. Sev-
eral Russian shipping merchants were interested in
A CALL TO REPEL BOARDERS 2/3
the venture, which was a private one, and among
the number was Ivan Snokoff. From Captain
Barusky, Snokoff had heard that fabulous prices
could be obtained for needed commodities at Port
Arthur, and he had invested nearly every ruble he
possessed in the enterprise. If the vessel succeeded
in reaching Port Arthur, Captain Barusky was to
undertake the disposal of the goods shipped in
Snokoff 's name, and then the two were to divide the
profits.
The big brig had come close to being wrecked off
the coast of Japan and during a gale had run down
a fishing smack containing Shamhaven, Peterson,
and two Japanese. One Japanese had been
drowned, and the three others from the smack had
been made to join the crew of the big brig. This
was agreeable to Shamhaven and Peterson, who did
not wish to remain near Nagasaki or at any place
where Captain Ponsberry or Larry would be likely
to discover them.
CHAPTER XXXII
FALl OF PORT ARTHUR — CONCLUSION
" OPEN, in the name of the Czar ! "
Such was the command which startled both Ben
and Grace Chase, and for the moment each gazed at
the other in horror, not knowing what to say or do.
"I must get away from here!" whispered the
young captain, but scarcely had he spoken when
there came a crash, and the front door of the resi-
dence swung in. Then half a dozen Russians
poured into the house.
" There he is, as I suspected ! " said one, an officer
from the prison. " We'll see that you do not escape
again," he added to Ben, grimly.
In the midst of the excitement Nathan Chase ar-
rived. But he could do nothing for the young cap-
tain, and was glad that he was left to protect his
daughter.
" We ought also to take her," said the prison
official. " She did wrong to harbor this prisoner."
And then, without further ado, Ben was marched
back to the place from which he had escaped such
a short while before.
FALL OF PORT ARTHUR — CONCLUSION 2/5
After that the time passed dismally enough for the
young American. For having run away he was put
on the most miserable fare the prison afforded, the
food being often so vile he could not touch it.
Whenever he attempted to protest he was met with
kicks and blows.
" They might as well kill me and be done
with it," he thought. "Oh, how I wish the
Japs would take the city and give me back my
liberty!"
In those days Port Arthur became a most uncom-
fortable place for all living there. The Japanese
army was pressing forward steadily, and army and
navy did everything possible to destroy the shipping
in the harbor and make the various forts untenable.
Shots and shells were hurled into the city at all
hours of the day and night, until living there became
worse than a nightmare. Among the soldiers
scurvy became prevalent, until the hospitals could
not accommodate the sick and the dying. Nothing
was done to clean up the streets, and the rubbish lay
many feet deep over the sidewalks. Practically all
of the shops were closed, for they had next to noth-
ing to sell. The main article of food was rice, and
to cook this many old buildings had to be razed in
order to procure necessary firewood. As winter
approached the suffering of the poor became so in-
276 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
tense that riots broke out and to maintain order not
a few were shot down.
Such was the condition in the city. Outside, to
the northward, the fighting went on week after
week. So many soldiers were killed upon both sides
that to bury the dead became impossible, and thou-
sands were left where they had fallen, to become the
prey of vultures, or to putrefy and fill the locality
with a stench that was as nauseating as it was
deadly! Such are the horrors of modern warfare.
The demands for universal peace cannot come any
too quickly.
In the advance on Port Arthur, Gilbert did his
full share of the fighting. The Japanese were now
struggling for the possession of what was known as
2O3-Meter Hill, a rocky elevation which was not
fortified but which was in the direct line of Russian
fire. The top of 2O3-Meter Hill commanded a fine
view of Port Arthur and its harbor, and it was this
view the Japanese needed, in order to make their
shell fire most effective.
The battle for 2O3-Meter Hill is one which will be
long remembered. The Japanese fought with a
desperation impossible to describe, and when the hill
was captured, General Stoessel sent out nearly all
his available men to retake it. But this could not
be accomplished, and late in December the Japanese
FALL OF PORT ARTHUR — CONCLUSION 2/7
stormed the inner defenses of the Russian chain of
forts, killing nearly all of the brave defenders who
dared to oppose them. Then tons upon tons of shot
and shell were sent into Port Arthur and over the
harbor once again, until the locality became little
short of an inferno. Nearly all the shipping was
destroyed, and so many buildings were set on fire
that to stem the conflagration became all but im-
possible. The end came on New Year's Day, 1905
— ten months after the famous siege began. To
hold out longer seemed impossible, and to avoid
further carnage General Stoessel called a council of
war and sent a message to General Nogi offering to
capitulate.
" Port Arthur has surrendered ! " The news flew
from one Japanese regiment to another, and soon the
warships were sending the message from vessel to
vessel. For once the Japanese showed their real
feelings, and " Banzai! Banzai! " rent the air again
and again. " Long life to the Mikado ! Port Ar-
thur is ours once more ! "
" It is a well-earned victory ! " cried Larry, when
he heard the news.
" Yes, lad, and I trust it brings this bloody war
to a close," came from Luke.
" They say General Stoessel blew up the war-
ships remaining in the harbor."
2/8 AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
" He couldn't have had many left," returned the
old Yankee gunner. " The army and the navy have
about battered everything to bits." And in this sur-
mise Luke was correct.
The fall of Port Arthur caused widespread con-
sternation in Russia, while the people of Japan were
correspondingly elated. Because of the gallant de-
fense of the place, the Japanese made generous terms
with those who had surrendered, much to the satis-
faction of the world at large. Many had predicted
a universal butchery, but nothing of the sort oc-
curred, and the Russian sick and wounded were
given every possible attention.
After the fall of the port Larry was permitted to
go ashore some miles above the town, and he man-
aged to located Gilbert, and then learned for the first
time that Ben was a prisoner in the captured place.
"A prisoner! " he ejaculated. " Oh, Gilbert, we
must find him and have him released ! "
" That is just what I have been thinking, but I
don't know exactly how to go at it, Larry."
" There ought to be some way of doing these
things. We might interview one of the generals
and Who is that coming this way? "
"Why, it's Ben himself!" cried Gilbert.
" Ben ! " screamed Larry, and ran forward to
meet his brother. Soon they were in each other's
FALL OF PORT ARTHUR — CONCLUSION 2/9
arms, and then Gilbert received an equally warm
greeting.
" We were released this morning," said Ben.
" I can tell you I was mighty glad of it. I haven't
had a meal fit to eat in weeks."
" Well, you shall have the best our larder affords,"
said Gilbert. " My, but you're a sight for sore
eyes ! " he continued.
" Don't say a word ! " came from Larry. Two
tears were glistening in his honest eyes. " It's al-
most too good to be true ! "
Here let me add a few words more and then bring
to a close this tale of the naval and military adven-
tures "At the Fall of Port Arthur."
After the surrender of the city the army in that
vicinity, and also the fleet near the harbor, had but
little to do outside of caring for the sick and
wounded and disposing of the thousands of prison-
ers. The Russian officers were allowed to go on
parole and the prisoners were transported to Japan.
Many of the mines in the harbor were taken up, so
that ships might come and go in safety.
Larry was anxious to learn what had become of
Shamhaven and Peterson, and through the Japanese
guards stationed in Port Arthur located the rascally
sailors at a cheap boarding-house. Both were made
28o AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
prisoners, and Larry got back a portion of the money
stolen from Captain Ponsberry and himself. It was
learned that the big brig had been destroyed by the
Japanese shell fire, so that Ivan Snokoff lost every-
thing he placed in the venture.
" Well, it served him right," said Gilbert, when
he heard of this. " He is responsible for the time
Ben spent in prison."
What had become of Captain Barusky was at
first a mystery. But at last it was learned that he
had sneaked aboard of a transport filled with
wounded soldiers and bound for Chefoo. He pre-
tended to be wounded himself, and was given medi-
cal attention until the trick was discovered, when he
was treated as a coward. As soon as Chefoo was
reached he disappeared, and that was the last seen
or heard of him for some time.
" We are well rid of that fellow," said Ben. " I
hope the Russians read him out of their army. He
isn't fit to hold a commission."
" What do you imagine will be the next move in
this war ? " questioned Gilbert.
" It is hard to tell. I think they will try to take
Mukden, for one thing."
" Russia is going to send out more warships," put
in Larry. " If they come this way, it may mean
more fighting for me."
FALL OF PORT ARTHUR — CONCLUSION 28 1
" Well, I reckon you'll do your duty, if you are
put to it," answered Gilbert, with a smile.
" And so will you do yours," came from Larry.
" We'll all try to do our duty," broke in Ben.
" We didn't join the army and the navy to hang
back. Just the same, I'd enjoy a bit of a rest just
now."
The others agreed that the rest would be beneficial
all around. It was given to them ; and here, for the
present at least, we will leave them, wishing them the
best of good luck in the future.
THE END
University of California
SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY
405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1388
Return this material to the library
from which it was borrowed.
NON-RENEWAL:
MAY 0 9 lisi
DUE 2 WKS FROM DAI
REC'O LO-URB'
JUN 0 5 1991
17Z006
E RECEIVED
A 000286175 5
University
Southerr
Library
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11