Gilbert broke off short as a pistol shot rang out at a distance. Then came a yell in Russian, followed by a cry of alarm in Japanese.
“Somebody found out!” cried Jiru Siko. “Come, we must run now, or get caught sure!”
CHAPTER X
AT SEA IN A SNOW SQUALL
The Japanese was right, two of the party in another cart had been discovered just at the moment they were leaving the turnout. In alarm the Russian driver ordered them to stop, and then called to another cart-driver for assistance.
The cry uttered by the Japanese was given in order to warn their friends. Now they came rushing across the field, closely followed by others of the party. On the road the Russians continued to give the alarm, and an instant later several shots were fired, one striking a Japanese in the arm. The fellow wanted to open fire in return, but Jiru Siko told him he had better not, as that would only add to the excitement and call forward more of the Russians.
With his heavy bag Gilbert had all he could do to keep up with the Japanese, although several of them carried loads fully as heavy as, if not heavier than, his own. The little brown men seemed to be all bone and muscle, and sprinted over the snow-covered ground in a manner that was wonderful.
Lights were now flashing forth from several directions, and soon came a shot from a distant sentry, answered by a similar shot from another sentry. The location of these shots was carefully noted by both Jiru Siko and Gilbert.
“This is the road between,” said the ex-lieutenant, and the Japanese nodded, to show that he agreed. The way led past the house Jiru Siko had in mind to visit, and there they were joined by all of the others who had left Port Arthur but a short while before.
Not far from the house was a patch of dwarfed timber and into this the Japanese and Gilbert dashed. One of the number appeared to be familiar with the ground and he led the way, the others following in single file. They went over a small hill and across a pond covered with ice and snow, where two slipped and went flat on their backs. Then they mounted some rocks, swept clear of the snow by the wind, and came out on a road which followed the seacoast.
By this time the whole party had been running an hour, and it must be confessed that Gilbert was beginning to lose his wind. But the Japanese kept on without slacking their pace, and there was nothing for him to do but to keep up or be left behind.