“Perhaps before we know it,” answered his chum.
Gilbert was right—the fighting came that very day, just before sundown. Shots were heard ahead, and soon the advance guard came running back with the news that a Russian regiment had taken a stand on a small hill half a mile away.
This news acted like magic on the Japanese soldiers. As tired as they were from the day’s tramp, and despite the fact that they had had only a lunch at midday, and wanted their suppers, they set up a ringing shout, in which the young American officers readily joined.
“Forward!” was the cry, in Japanese, and forward went one command after another, Major Okopa’s battalion with the rest. The latter was ordered to move to the left, where some timber had been cut down the season before, leaving a field that was about half cleared and one studded with stumps and rocks.
“I see the Russians!” yelled Gilbert presently, and he was right. Almost at the same moment the enemy opened fire, and two of the University Corps went down badly wounded.
It was the “baptism of fire,” as it is called by old soldiers, but the corps stood the shock well. Without wavering it swept along, among the stumps and rocks until the order came to halt and lie down. From this position volley after volley was discharged at the Russian infantry, which was lodged behind a row of trees at the edge of a thick patch of timber.
“They’ve got an advantage over us,” said Gilbert. “Those trees are a great protection.”
“Wait until Koshama’s battery gets here,” answered Major Okopa. “It will make a hornet’s nest of the woods for them.”
The battery was already in position, and soon one of the guns was brought into play. The havoc along the edge of the timber patch was terrific, and in consternation the Russians fled.
“Hurrah! they are retreating!” shouted Ben, and leaped up, as did all those around him. Once more the Japanese soldiers swept forward and in a few minutes were as deep into the forest as were the Russians. Here something of a hand-to-hand encounter took place, lasting probably fifteen minutes.