Under the Mikado's flag

by Edward Stratemeyer

No sooner was the island in the possession of the Japanese than the Russians tried to retake it. But the fire of the Japanese battery was too fierce for them, and at last they were compelled to retreat to a shelter under Tiger Hill.

While this fighting was going on to the north of Wiju, another division of the Japanese army crossed the two islands further down, and made preparations to cross from the second island to the north bank of the Yalu. Strange as it may seem, the engagement at this point was a small one and the losses were trifling on both sides.

The next day was given over largely to bridge-building by the Japanese. The Russians watched them closely, and did what they could to stop the work, but without success. The batteries on both sides were kept at work, and the Japanese fire was so destructive that the enemy was forced to keep back. In the meantime a large body of the Japanese army was marched far to the north of Wiju, and the next day constructed two pontoon bridges across the Yalu, and succeeded in landing on the north bank. With this division went the command to which Gilbert and Ben were attached.

It had been thought all along that the Russians would make a strong resistance at Tiger Hill, but much to the astonishment of the Japanese when they arrived there they found it deserted. This was due to a misunderstanding of orders among the Russians, for the next day they took command of the hill, the Japanese being just then in no position to drive them away.

It was now that the Japanese showed their skill in generalship. Totally ignorant of the fact that a strong portion of the Japanese army was creeping up upon his left, the Russian commander at Tiger Hill began an engagement with the Japanese body on Kulido Island, directly in front of him. Slowly, but surely, the division from the north crept closer, coming over first one hill and then another. At last it came into sight unexpectedly, and that fact was announced throughout the Russian quarters.

“The advance must be stopped, and at once,” was the order given, and the heavy artillery broke forth into a roar to be heard for miles, while the shrapnel whistled through the air in all directions. The Japanese batteries, now able to locate the field-pieces of the enemy by the smoke, also broke forth, until the din was terrific. By those who took part in this battle, a hillside was described as a perfect volcano, from which belched forth gray-black smoke and grim death.

In this great struggle the red banners of the Mikado’s men were ever in the front—for Japanese armies invariably carry their flags where they should be carried, in the advance guard. This flag cheered the soldiers on to deeds of great valor, helping them to cross the river at the two islands and in other places in the face of a fire that was as searching now as it had been uncertain in the days previous. The slaughter on every side was fearful, but as soon as one line melted away another sprang forward to take its place.

Neither Gilbert nor Ben got into the fight until about eleven o’clock in the morning. They had crossed the pontoon bridge nearest to Wiju with Major Okopa’s command, and were marching along over the hills in the direction of Tiger Hill.

“The battle is on now for certain,” exclaimed Gilbert, as he listened to the thunder of artillery in the distance.

“I hope it is going in our favor,” answered Ben, who had chanced to come up. “My, just listen to that,” he went on, as the din became heavier than ever.