Slowly but surely the small boat came closer to the schooner. She rode the long swells of the Pacific 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 mission would be.
"Wonder if that chap can talk English?" queried 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," answered Larry. "But we don't want either of those rascals to open his mouth."
At last the small boat came up alongside of theColumbia. It was no easy matter to catch the rope ladder without getting bumped, but it was successfully 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 schoonerColumbia," 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 stopover at Nagasaki."
"Ah! What sort of a cargo are you carrying to Nagasaki?"
"One belonging to the firm for which theColumbiais in commission."
"The name of the firm, please?"
"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 Russians 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.
"If I refuse to let you inspect the papers?"
The young Russian officer shrugged his shoulders.
"We shall be under the painful necessity of compelling 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 theColumbiaknew 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, evasively.
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 hands on theColumbia. Not one could speak a word of English, so conversation with them was impossible.
Captain Ponsberry led the way to the cabin of theColumbiaand the young Russian officer followed. Getting out such papers as had been prepared 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 Ponsberry, sternly, yet he knew he had no right to expect anything else.
"If I am going too far, I am able to take the consequences," 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 thePocastra, 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."
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 Russian 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!" and he ran to capture the rascal.
"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 Government!"
"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 Russian 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.
"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 theColumbiawas also sold at Nagasaki to the Japanese Government."
"When was this?"
"About two months ago."
More questions were put to Semmel, Peterson, and Shamhaven, and at last the Russian naval officer turned grimly to Captain Ponsberry.
"I have heard their story, and it will be unnecessary 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."
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 theColumbiaas 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 officer. "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 command of the vessel at once."
"What are we going to do?" whispered Larry to Tom Grandon.
"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 remain on board. The remainder of the crew and the officers, will be transferred to thePocastra. 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 theColumbiaLarry 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 Semmel was questioned once more, and what he had 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 possession 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 investigate 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 theColumbiato thePocastraand 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 theColumbiawere hoisted and off she set to the eastward, and the warship moved in the same direction.
When placed aboard thePocastraCaptain Ponsberry 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 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 oldColumbia."
"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 listening—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. 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," returned 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 thePocastrawas 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 rarely made over seventeen or eighteen. She was old and her engines were constantly in need of repair, 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 Rosenvischpoff. "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 consisted 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 continued. "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 particular 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 heavily 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 thePocastra, those in the pen heard a loud shouting on 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 companions.
"Here comes Captain Ponsberry," ejaculated Tom Grandon.
He was right, the captain was coming up in company 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, cordially. "All well, I hope."
"We are," answered Grandon. "And you?"
"I'm well enough, but still angry to think that we lost theColumbia."
"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. "Wonder if the Chinamen will give in as we did?"
"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 thePocastraopened 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 thePocastra, 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 oldColumbia, with the warship keeping guard over both.
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 rejoicing 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 Ponsberry.
"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.
"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 Chinese 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 landed in Korea had driven the enemy to the northwestward, 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 inspected, 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 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 great curiosity as much of the warship as was allowed.
"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 fer 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 theColumbia, 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 Liao-Yang.
The loss of the great battleshipPetropavlovskhas 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 battleshipPobiedawas 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 garrison, 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 pouring troops into the country, occurred a catastrophe as appalling as it was unexpected.
On the same day, May 15, the magnificent battleshipHatsuse, 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 theHatsuseis 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 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 hundred. Among those lost were Rear-Admiral Nashiba and Captain Nakao, the commander of the warship.
TheYoshinowas lost while steaming slowly southward, after a night's vigil near the entrance to Port Arthur harbor. Other vessels of the blockading fleet were close by, so each ship had to advance with extreme caution. But the fog, instead of lifting, became thicker, and at a little before two o'clock in the afternoon the cruiser was rammed by theKasuga, another vessel of the fleet. A large hole was torn in the hull of theYoshino.
"Out with the collision mats!" cried the commander 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, theYoshinolisted 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 and went down with his ship. As soon as possible theKasugaput 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 transportKinshiu 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 ofBanzai! (hurrah!) on their lips.
It was an auxiliary cruiser of the Vladivostok squadron which had taken theColumbiaand the 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 thePocastra, never dreaming of what the near future held in store for himself, his ship, and his crew.
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 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 thePocastra. 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.
"I'll wager a new hat they have sighted a Japanese 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 discharging 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 retaliated, and the booming of cannon shook thePocastrafrom 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?"
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. ThePocastrawas 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 another crash on deck. ThePocastrashivered and heaved, and to those below it was as if she would surely sink.
"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 Russian, and then a stampede followed.
In the midst of the confusion came a fearful explosion 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 thePocastra'sside, 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 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 themêléea 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 Russians and our friends got to the deck at last. Captain 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 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. ThePocastrawas listing 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 bullets which sent the Russians to the deck by the score. By this fire one of theColumbia'ssailors 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 further would be useless. ThePocastrawas 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 warships when it was realized that the battle was won. "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 thePocastra'sside. 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 thePocastraa 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 surprise, the Americans were asked to go over to one of the Japanese warships.
"We'll go, and glad of the chance," said Captain Ponsberry; and soon the transfer was made.
"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 theMimora Juri. She was but three years old and had been used for passenger service between Japan and China. For such a small cruiser she carried an unusually heavy battery, and everything was shined up to the last degree,—the work having been undertaken directly after the battle was over. TheMimora Jurihad 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."
As soon as those from theColumbiareached 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 between the two Japanese vessels and the Russian prize, our friends were not interviewed until late in the evening. In the meantime, some of the Russians were made prisoners, and a prize crew was placed aboard of thePocastra. Then the two Japanese 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," returned 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, being a graduate of the Japanese naval school, could speak not only English but also several other foreign languages. It may be mentioned here that the Japanese 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 theColumbiatold 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 thePocastra.
"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. ThePocastrawas taking them to Vladivostok as prizes."
"Ah!" The Japanese captain mused for a moment. "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 warship again to-morrow. It may be that he will tell us where she is—although I doubt it."
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 thePocastra.
"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 theColumbia.
The majority of the staterooms aboard of theMimora Juriwere occupied by the officers of the cruiser, but one small room was turned over to Captain Ponsberry, and a larger apartment was turned over to Tom Grandon and Larry. At Larry's solicitation 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 nearest 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 ship and Larry and Luke spent many hours in inspecting 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, enthusiastically, "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 certainly just as good. That drill to fight fire is immense, 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 themselves 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 Japanese navy, just to have a mix-up or two with the Russians."
"You've struck the nail on the head, lad. And why not, seeing as how we are out here in fighting 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 Japanese army was hemming in the city on the land side and had lately captured several hills of importance.
From Captain Tonkaka the Americans obtained permission to station themselves in one of the fighting tops, and here they spent hour after hour, on the lookout for theColumbia. Captain Ponsberry was particularly anxious to find his vessel, and kept scanning the Japan Sea through a fine spyglass the Japanese captain loaned him.
"If I can gain possession of that ship, I am going to fix Semmel and Peterson," said the master of theColumbia.
"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 theColumbiaagain," 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 Ponsberry. "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 eastern coasts of Japan, the Mikado had sent out a flying 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 thePocastra, as already described. Of the other ships some proceeded up the coast to Korea and caught two Russian colliers loaded with coal and another ship carrying steel rails for the Manchuria railroad. The remainder of the squadron put further 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.
"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."
"A Chinaman isn't in it alongside of a Japanese," came from Captain Ponsberry. "The Japanese are up-to-date and very progressive; the Chinese 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 thePocastradid 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 sailing vessels," said Larry. "I wonder how the oldColumbiais 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.
"TheColumbia!"
"Are you sure?" cried Larry.
"She certainly is theColumbia," said Tom Grandon, 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 theColumbiawas 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 theMimora Juristeamed 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.
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 terrorized 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 thePocastrahad 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 wrecking 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 instant. "Poor chap! That was rough on him!"
"It certainly was rough," answered Captain Ponsberry. "And what of the others?"
"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 theColumbiaagain.
"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."
"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 theColumbia, 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 theColumbia, 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 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 inspected and they were told that they would be allowed 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. "Vell, 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 dreaming."
"No, I see him mit mine two eyes. He count der gold. He haf more as dirty pieces."
"That is worth remembering," answered Shamhaven. 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.
As soon as Captain Ponsberry was in charge of theColumbiaonce 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 carpenter did their best, and the captain and his mates helped. Sails were also sewed up, or replaced, and inside of forty-eight hours the oldColumbiawas 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 afternoon.
"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 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 Ponsberry. 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 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 gunner. 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 common seamen," responded Captain Ponsberry.
As fortune would have it, the run to Nagasaki was made without incident worthy of special mention. 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 theColumbiadrew 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 captain 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.
"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, Peterson."
"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 taking 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?"