“It puts me in mind of the sinking of our battleship Maine, in Havana harbor,” returned Ben.
“Somehow, the Russians don’t seem to be able to do a thing on the water,” went on Gilbert. “They have sunk or disabled a few small Japanese ships, but that is all, while they have lost some of the very best warships they possessed.”
“I take it that the Japanese gunners are well trained, Gilbert. They have sent their young naval officers to America and to Europe to learn all they possibly could, and being ambitious to make a record they are doing their level best—while the Russians seem to be satisfied to rest on laurels gained years ago. If the Czar wants to do anything he has got to wake up.”
“I see the Japanese warships are keeping right at Port Arthur. The bombardments must be something terrific.”
“No doubt they are. More than likely some of the residents of that town wish they were out of it.”
“I’d like to know what has become of that Captain Barusky and Ivan Snokoff.”
“Barusky likely has his hands full at the port. A sneak like Snokoff will probably keep as far from danger as he can. Such rascals have no use for fighting.”
Early the following morning Major Okopa’s command moved forward once more, along with over four thousand of the Japanese troops, infantry and artillery. It was an inspiring sight, and despite the bad weather that had been experienced, and the awful condition of the roads, the majority of the troops were in good spirits.
“This is like a touch of old times in the Philippines,” observed Gilbert, as the command swung along through a side road, cut through a heavy forest. “The jungle isn’t quite as bad, but it is bad enough.”
“Wonder how soon we’ll get to some real fighting,” came from Ben.