The Major had been present only as an observer—a student—but at one hot place on which he put his finger, he had "lost many friends there," he said impassively.
At that place a young Russian officer led a charge, and his men refused to follow him. The officer drew a dagger and smilingly killed himself.
"We all speak much of that man," said the Major.
At another place the ammunition gave out on both sides, and Japanese and Russians fought with stones—men on both sides being severely wounded. While this was going on some Russian officers advanced, sword in hand, from another point, but they had no followers. One of them started forward and gave challenge. A Japanese officer sprang to meet him, and a duel was fought while soldiers of both armies looked on. "The Japanese was fortunate enough to despatch the Russian," said the Major modestly and dispassionately, "and we buried him with much ceremony and put a barrier over him. It was an interesting study—this battle—as to whether it is better to fight a defensive or an offensive enemy."
"Well, I'd rather have seen that rock-fight," said a correspondent, "and that duel than the whole battle."
The Major looked puzzled and shocked, and went on to tell how they had captured a fat Russian colonel—whose horse was wounded and whose coat was gone.
"He said our artillery fire was—" the Major paused, used a Russian word, and turned to the interpreter helplessly—and the interpreter said:
"Ungodly."
"Yes," said the Major, and he smiled. "The first thing the Russian asked for was a bottle of soda-water, which made us laugh. We do not carry such things in the fields. I gave him ten cigarettes."
"How many men did the Japanese have in that fight?" asked a correspondent.