So far the only persons they had met on the way were Chinese farmers, all of whom bewailed the fact that an army was in the vicinity, and who wanted to know who was to pay for the crops stolen or destroyed.
They were just passing a farmhouse when, on glancing back, Gilbert caught sight of two bearded faces peeping at them from behind a haystack. The faces disappeared as soon as the young captain caught sight of them.
He did not report the matter at once, but called a halt as soon as the haystack was out of range and told Major Okopa of what he had seen.
“Let us go back instantly and investigate,” said the Japanese officer.
“Hadn’t we better be careful?” suggested Gilbert. “If they were Russians there may be more of them in the vicinity.”
“Be prepared for anything that may happen.”
The major took the lead in retracing the way to the farmhouse. As soon as the detachment came in sight, one of the Chinese farmers emitted a long, low whistle.
It was evidently a signal, and several men were seen to pass out of the back of the farmhouse in the direction of a small barn close by. The men were in Chinese dress, but that they were Russians there could be no doubt.
“Halt!” cried Major Okopa, in Japanese, and repeated the command in Russian.
For reply, a shot was heard, and a bullet struck the brave officer in the shoulder. Then came other shots, aimed at the rest of the detachment. But no one else was hit, and they returned the fire as quickly as they could. Whether or not any of the enemy were reached they could not tell, for Russians and Chinese had now disappeared.