The sailor, Nouye, knew of a good Japanese hotel, and conducted the young American hither, where he was given a fair-sized room, heated, for his benefit, with a small foot stove. Gilbert was also introduced to several people at the hotel, so that he might not feel altogether strange. Then the sailor left him and he was allowed to shift for himself.
The ex-lieutenant needed a rest after his adventures on the Yellow Sea, and he determined to take it easy for several days before deciding upon what to do next. He learned that there was no steamer in the harbor bound for Nagasaki or any other port in Japan, and there was no telling when there would be.
“I rather reckon the Columbia and those on board will have to take care of themselves,” he reasoned. “I wish I was with them, but I’ve got to take what comes.”
The young American remained at the Japanese hotel just for one day, and then moved to another resort, kept by an Englishman named David Penworth. Here accommodations were also good, and the ex-lieutenant had the satisfaction of hearing his native tongue spoken once more.
“Quite a few Americans have enlisted for this war,” said David Penworth. “I had some of them in here a couple of days ago.”
“On the Japanese side?” questioned Gilbert.
“To be sure. I don’t believe any of them have joined the Russians. They seem to take to the Japs—they are such sturdy chaps, don’t you know.”
“They are that. Are those Americans who enlisted around now?”
“Oh, no, they came in from the Japanese camp, some miles from here. But, for all I know, they may be down again.”
Gilbert soon learned that the Japanese were landing troops not only at Chemulpo but also at Chinampo, a small treaty port about a hundred and fifty miles further north, and at Haiju, another place located midway between those first named.