“Perhaps you’ll be able to go with us.”
“I’d like that. I can’t get along with these Japs alone. They talk too fast for me.”
“Have you sent your papers any news at all?”
“Not much. How can I, if it’s not to be got? I’ve told them about the army here, and the rumors that are circulating, but if I don’t send more pretty soon I’m afraid I’ll get my walking papers,” concluded the correspondent gloomily.
By the first of March over forty transports had left Nagasaki, all loaded with troops for the front. Many other transports left China, where great numbers of guns were shipped and also horses. Major Okopa kept his command in readiness to leave on a day’s notice, and at last came word that they would depart on the first day of the following week.
CHAPTER XVI
ON THE WAY TO PING-YANG
“We are off at last!”
It was Gilbert who spoke. Dressed in the uniform of a Japanese captain of infantry, he stood upon the deck of the transport Yojirama and saw the shipping of Nagasaki harbor fading rapidly in the distance.
The transports to carry soldiers and stores were twelve in number, and had as a guard three large warships and two torpedo destroyers. Each transport was crowded to the utmost, every foot of deck space being occupied.
“This is pretty much like a cattle ship,” remarked Ben, who stood near. “I don’t know what we are going to do if a storm comes up.”