“We’ll certainly look like ragpickers if this keeps on,” observed Ben that evening as he surveyed what was left of his uniform. “That was a thorny hill and no mistake.”
“Now you can play needlewoman,” cried Gilbert, with a smile. “Come, get to work.”
“I’m too lazy and tired, Gilbert. It’s so hot.”
“Then hire one of the boys to do it for you. Some of them are really expert at sewing.”
“A good idea,” was the reply, and soon Ben had struck a bargain with a private to have all his clothing mended, and also to have his shirt washed. Then Gilbert closed a similar contract.
“Wish I could hear from Larry,” said Ben, before turning in for the night. “I’d like to know where he is, and how the old Columbia is making out.”
“Let us trust that she has escaped the Russian warships,” answered Gilbert.
“Yes, I hope that with all my heart. The Russians wouldn’t hesitate a minute to sink her with all her cargo, if they knew she was carrying Japanese war material.”
CHAPTER XXVI
PRISONERS OF WAR
It is not my intention in these pages to describe all the numerous skirmishes and battles which took place between the time General Kuroki’s army crossed the Yalu and when the tremendous assault was made upon the Russian army concentrated around Liao-Yang.