Though it was known that war between Russia and Japan was imminent, the officers and men of both navy and army took little heed, but relied on the strength of their fortress, its fleet, and batteries. What could the little yellow monkeys do against Russia? Well, on the 7th of February invitations were sent out for a great reception at the residence of the Port Admiral, for it was the name-day of his wife and daughter. Officers of all grades flocked thither from the forts and the ships. After the reception followed a dance, very enjoyable, gay, and delightful.
It was midnight, and many were down by the water’s edge waiting for gig and pinnace. A dull sound echoed through the streets that night.
“Dear me! what is that, I wonder?”
“Oh! only naval manœuvres, sir. We sailors must be practising a bit, you know, in case the Japs come.”
Then there was a laugh: “They won’t dare to come under our guns!”
But they had come! In their torpedo-boats the brave sailors of the “Rising Sun” were quietly steaming round the harbour, launching a deadly torpedo at battleship and cruiser.
Next morning, when the Russians went down to see what was going on, they found the Retvisan nose down and heeling over, the Tsarevich settling down by the stern and with a pretty list to starboard, other vessels looking very uncomfortable, and a long way off, near the horizon, some black specks that actually “had the cheek” to bombard Port Arthur.
Why, yes, as the curious citizen came to the Bund, he was so astonished that he forgot to run. Crates and sacks had been hurled about, double glass windows all smashed; and what was that big hole on the quay, big enough to hold an omnibus and four horses? “Good gracious! you don’t mean to say that those specks twelve miles away have done all this! Come, sir, let us seek shelter in the stone-quarries.”
And the Russian batteries on Golden Hill? They were returning the fire from 10-inch guns; but the Japanese possessed 13-inch guns and were outside striking distance.
A party of ladies and gentlemen had gone to the terrace before the Mayor’s house to see the pretty sight—it is not often you can see such a sight. A shell fell just below them! They scattered and went to bed.