At times the enemy contested the way bitterly, while at others they fell back without making the least show of resistance. As a matter of fact they were too weak to engage in a regular battle, and their one idea in harassing the Japanese was to delay the forward movement of the Mikado’s men, and thus give General Kuropatkin additional time in which to strengthen his position at Liao-Yang.
“This war is getting to be nothing but a series of skirmishes,” said Gilbert one day, as he and Ben tramped along side by side.
“We’ll get it hot and heavy before long, mark my words.”
“Oh, I believe that myself. I wonder how far we are from the main body of the Russian army?”
“I heard somebody say that Liao-Yang wasn’t more than fifty miles away.”
“Then we are bound to strike something before long.”
The next day a small body of the Japanese were ordered to advance along a side road, to see if any Russians were in that vicinity. With this body went some of the soldiers under Gilbert and Ben, and the Americans with them. The detachment was under the command of a Japanese major who also belonged to General Kuroki’s staff. He was a fine fellow, and both Gilbert and Ben were soon on good terms with him.
A few Russians were seen on the march, but these fled before they could be captured or shot down.
“It is too bad we could not catch them,” said the Japanese major to Gilbert. “They may cause us a great deal of trouble.”
“You mean they may report to some other Russians?”