But all battles must come to an end sooner or later, and by sundown the great struggle for the Yalu was over, and the victory was entirely in the hands of the Japanese, while the Russians were well on the way to Feng-wang-cheng. The battle had thoroughly exhausted both sides, and the Japanese were content to rest on their laurels, while the Russians did what they could to reorganize their shattered forces and construct a new line of defense.
The great battle of the Yalu was remarkable in more ways than one. For the first time in history a well-organized European army was defeated by an army of the Asiatic race. The Japanese had proved themselves not only masters of the art of war on the sea but also on land, and the victory was so complete that it left no room for doubt. In the future Japan would have to be reckoned with as one of the world powers.
CHAPTER XXIII
AMONG THE RUSSIAN SPIES
The battle of the Yalu was followed by several days of rest for Gilbert and his friends, for which they were not sorry. In the fighting Ben had sustained a severe wrench of his left ankle, and he was content to take it easy in one of the houses of Kiu-lien-cheng, around which the University Corps were quartered.
Both Gilbert and Ben were anxious to learn how Dan Casey had fared, and the former lost no time in hunting up Carl Stummer and questioning him.
“Da vos took poor Tan to der temborary hosbital,” answered the German sharpshooter. “Der doctor said he couldn’t fight yet a-vile.”
“But he’ll get over it?”
“Yah, he said Tan vould git ofer it—put he must haf rest.”
“How did you make out Carl?”
“Oh I dink me I knock out more as six Roossians, Gilpert. Ven Tan got shot I got mine tander up, und I sailed in like neffer vos alretty. Say, put it vos a great fight, hey?”