Edward Stratemeyer

“ Larry passed the word to Cal Vincent, who was the boatswain of the Columbia, and soon the whistle piped up shrilly, and those who were below or in the forecastle, came on deck in a hurry. Already the wind was freshening, ruffling up the whitecaps in all directions. The sky, that had been so blue a short while before, became leaden, and the depths of the ocean took on a somber hue. The barometer indicated a great and immediate change.
"Lay aloft there, men!" cried Captain Ponsberry. "Our sails are mostly new and we don't want them ripped up if we can help it. Skip along there, Peterson!" ”

“ It makes me sick!" growled Semmel. "I am sick of the ship—the crew—everything!"
Peterson gave a short toss of his head, which was covered with a shock of fiery red hair. "What are you going to do about it? Even if the captain treats you like a dog, what shall you do, Ostag Semmel? He thinks we are all curs—door mats to wipe feet on!"
"He shall find out that I am neither a dog nor a door mat!" muttered the bearded Russian. "By my right hand I promise you that!"
"Talk is cheap—it takes wind to make the mill go," answered Peterson. ”

“ CHAPTER XII TAKEN AS A PRIZE OF WAR Slowly but surely the small boat came closer to the schooner. She rode the long swells of the Pacific with full grace, and Larry could not help but admire the long, sturdy strokes of the jackies, as they bent to their task.
"I don't know but that they can handle a small boat as well as our own jackies," said Larry.
"Why shouldn't they? Russian naval training ought to be first-class," answered Tom Grandon. "They have been at it longer than Uncle Sam." ”

“ Every stitch of canvas on the Columbia was spread and the schooner bowled along right merrily.
"I'd like to know how this war is going on, and how Ben and Gilbert are faring," said Larry to Captain Ponsberry. "A whole lot may have happened since we left Manila."
"Well, you'll probably get word from your brother when you reach Nagasaki, lad; and we'll get word from Captain Pennington, too."
"I hope neither of them has been wounded."
"So do I; but when one goes to the front he has got to put up with the fortunes of war. ”

“ Larry and Luke were close behind their leader and both were alarmed to see him go down, uttering a deep groan as he did so.
"Is he killed?" questioned the young second mate.
"I don't know," was the old tar's response. "Shall we go up?"
"Keep back there!" was the call from above. "Put a step on those stairs and it will be the worse for you!"
At that moment came a cry from Cal Vincent. The boatswain had been attacked from behind and was given no chance to defend himself. Then came a roar from Jeff, who came rushing toward the companionway as if all the demons of the deep were behind him. ”

“ He went at the Chinese with vigor. The war followed, and after a number of thrilling contests the Japanese were victorious, and Admiral Togo emerged from the struggle covered with glory.
"He is the man to lead us to victory against the Russians!" was the cry throughout the navy, when war was declared between Russia and Japan, and how he sent his ships to Port Arthur and other places, and what effective work was done by them, has already been related. In the whole of the Japanese navy, to serve on the admiral's flagship, the Mikasa, was considered a great honor. ”

“ Most of the time was spent in digging trenches and tunnels, and in keeping out of the way of shells that whistled and screamed in all directions—shells weighing hundreds of pounds, which, when they struck, tore up the ground for yards around and smashed the rocks as if the latter were passing through a quartz crusher. Such is war of modern times, when carried on at a distance of miles. ”

“ To Gilbert's mind, being held by the Russians as a spy was as bad as being in the hands of the Chinese brigands.
"I wish we could get into Port Arthur at once," he said, finally. "I shouldn't like anything better than to capture this Captain Barusky and liberate Ben."
"We are bound to get into the port sooner or later," answered Major Okopa. "They are bringing up more siege guns every day. If the Russians won't give up we'll batter the whole town down over their heads." ”

“ By this time Larry was out of his stateroom. With his door ajar he had heard all that had been said.
"Oh, Luke, do you think they'll try to seize the ship?" he gasped.
"Don't know what they'll do. They're a plumb crazy lot," growled the old tar. "It was a mistake to take such fellers as Semmel and Peterson and Shamhaven aboard."
"That is true, but when Devine and Larson got sick and went to the hospital at Manila I had to get somebody," answered Captain Ponsberry. ”

“ I can prove that he is a swindler and that you are his accomplice."
"Ha! you threaten me!" roared Captain Barusky, in a rage. "Have a care! I come from a most respectable family and I have great influence."
"Nevertheless, I think those who are higher in authority than yourself will listen to my story. The Russian army officers are as a rule gentlemen and strictly honest."
"Which means to say that I am not a gentleman and not honest!" bellowed Captain Barusky. "That, for your opinion!" And reaching out he gave Ben a ringing box on the ear. ”

“ They may need gunners even if they don't need common seamen," responded Captain Ponsberry.
As fortune would have it, the run to Nagasaki was made without incident worthy of special mention. Once there was a scare on board, as the water in the well hole increased with alarming rapidity. But the new leak was discovered in time, and the ship's carpenter had little difficulty in repairing it. They also sighted a vessel they thought might be a Russian warship, but she proved instead to be a Japanese coastwise freighter, carrying lumber from one port to another on the northern coast of Japan. ”

“ But it was a good half-hour before Captain Ponsberry could sit up and do any rational thinking.
On deck all had become suddenly quiet. Occasionally those below could hear a footstep near the companionway, showing that one or more of the mutineers were on guard. The hatch shut off the view on deck, and the windows in the ceiling of the cabin were also boarded over from the outside.
"They have us like rats in a trap," said Larry, bitterly.
"And for all we know Vincent and Grandon are both dead," returned Luke Striker, soberly. "I must say, lad, we seem to be in a bad way and no mistake." ”

“ They have a Japanese cargo on board, the captain cannot deny it. We can take the ship, sail her to some Russian port, and win both prize money and glory. Is it not a grand scheme?"
"Ha, that is fine!" Carl Peterson's eyes glowed voraciously. "Ostag, you are a man after my own heart! We might become rich!" ”

“ Now, if you go on a new ship ye don't know nobody an' nobody knows nobody else."
"I guess you expect to live and die a sailor, don't you, Luke?"
"Don't know but what I do, unless somebody leaves me money enough to live like a millionaire," and the old tar grinned.
Day after day passed and the Columbia kept on her course, making as straight a passage for Nagasaki as possible. One day there would be a fair breeze and the next a dead calm.
"This is unusual weather for this quarter of the globe," said Captain Ponsberry to Larry. "Like as not it will end in another hurricane." ”

“ The letters finished, he addressed and posted them, and then he and Luke took a short stroll through Nagasaki, past the many curious shops, and the fine residences. Some of the shop windows displayed flaring war pictures, done in glaring colors,—all telling of tremendous Japanese victories on land and sea.
"They certainly believe in tooting their own horn," said Larry, with a laugh over one of the pictures. "Just see this one, Luke—one Japanese officer mowing down three Russians with his sword!" ”

“ The Japanese had not expected a hand-to-hand fight and the closing in of the enemy aroused them as they had never been aroused before. For the first time Larry saw the sailors and marines awakened to their full fighting fury—a fury in which every Japanese scorns death and thinks that to die is glory for himself, his family, and his emperor. They leaped on the Russians with a ferocity that was appalling, and that first shock sent the Czar's men back to the deck from which they had come. ”

“ He is as dear an old chap now as anybody would want for an uncle.
"I suppose you will hear from Ben and Gilbert. I am expecting a letter every day. It's queer you didn't go with them, but I suppose the old Columbia with her crew suits you better."
"I am glad everything is all right at home," thought Larry, as he finished reading the communication. "A new wing to the house, eh? Uncle Job must be spreading himself. Reckon he has found out there is something more to live for in this world than mere money." ”

“ It was not until nine o'clock in the morning that Captain Ponsberry had the forward hatch raised once more. Those below were almost dying for fresh air and water.
"I want Wilbur to come up," he said.
"Can't we have some water?" demanded Shamhaven.
"Yes, if you'll behave yourselves," was the short answer.
There was a babble of voices, but the master of the ship paid no attention. Each man who had been thrown below was unarmed, so there was no danger of any shooting. Presently Wilbur came up the rope ladder thrown to him, looking sheepish enough. ”

“ Two days more were spent at Nagasaki, and then, on a clear morning, the Shohirika left the harbor and steamed off in company with two sister ships. They were to join a squadron bound for the western coast of Korea, but where they were to go after that there was no telling.
Captain Ponsberry came to see Larry and Luke off. "Take good care of yourselves," said the master of the Columbia. "An' teach them Russians the lesson they deserve."
"We expect to do our duty," answered Larry.
Life on the Japanese warship proved to be very much like life in the American navy. ”

“ For once the Japanese showed their real feelings, and "Banzai! Banzai!" rent the air again and again. "Long life to the Mikado! Port Arthur is ours once more!"
"It is a well-earned victory!" cried Larry, when he heard the news.
"Yes, lad, and I trust it brings this bloody war to a close," came from Luke.
"They say General Stoessel blew up the warships remaining in the harbor."
"He couldn't have had many left," returned the old Yankee gunner. "The army and the navy have about battered everything to bits." And in this surmise Luke was correct. ”

“ Russia is a vast country, with millions of people and with an immense army and navy. I suppose she can put five times as many men in the field as Japan can."
"But them Japs know how to fight."
"Indeed they do—they have proved that already. And what is to their advantage, they are closer to Korea and Manchuria than Russia is. They can get on the fighting ground quicker,—which counts for a good deal."
"How those Russians must have been astonished when the Japanese warships sailed into 'em at Port Arthur last February. ”

“ Does the old man reckon to fall in with a Russian warship afore we can reach Nagasaki?"
"Hush, Luke; you mustn't mention our cargo," came from Larry Russell, hastily.
"I ain't mentionin' it to anybody but you."
"Captain Ponsberry is in hopes that we shall not meet any Russian warships."
"But what if we do?"
"Then we shall have to show our heels as best we can."
"A sailing vessel can't show much o' a pair o' heels to a man-o'-war."
"That is true."
"I suppose, if the Columbia was overhauled by a Russian warship, they'd consider us a prize of war; wouldn't they?" continued the old Yankee sailor. ”

“ In the end the stew was dumped overboard and Jeff prepared an entirely new dinner for all hands.
"You must keep close watch on all of the men," said the captain to Larry and Grandon, when quietness had been restored. "Semmel was the worst of the lot, but I do not like the way Peterson and one or two others are acting."
"I don't see what they can do," answered Larry.
"They might start a mutiny," came from the first mate.
"Would they dare go as far as that?"
"Sometimes sailors get strange notions, and the old Harry himself can't stop them," said Captain Ponsberry. ”

“ When I was a lad, on board the Mary Eliza, Captain Snapper, we had a mutiny just because the coffee wasn't right."
"Yes, and I can remember that they had a mutiny on the old brig Chesterfield because Captain Roe's wife brought a cross-eyed yellow cat on board," added Grandon. "Not a man would hoist a sail until that feline was put ashore. And when, two months later, the brig lost her foremast in a gale, the sailors said it was on account of that same cat, she having scratched the mast before she was taken away!"
"Well, I hope we don't have a mutiny," said Larry. ”