CHAPTER XX
LARRY BEFORE ADMIRAL TOGO
As soon as the _Columbia_ could make the proper landing, CaptainPonsberry went ashore and reported his arrival to the authorities, andalso reported the escape of Shamhaven and Peterson. The authorities hadalready heard of the capture of the _Columbia_ from the Russians, andsaid that the schooner would have to remain at Nagasaki until the wholecase could be adjusted. The Japanese were inclined to favor both theRichmond Importing Company and the owners of the vessel, so it was notlikely that our friends would lose much in the end. In the meantime the_Columbia_ could be put in a dry-dock and given the overhauling that sheneeded.
"We shall do all we can to locate Shamhaven and Peterson and get backyour money," said an official of the secret service department. But hishands were so full with other matters of greater importance that littleattention was paid to the disappearance of the two rascals.
"Well, this will tie me up at Nagasaki for some time to come," saidCaptain Ponsberry to Larry, on the third day after arriving at theJapanese port.
"Which means, I suppose, that I can join the Japanese navy if I wish,"returned the young second mate, quickly.
"I don't want to force you to leave the ship, lad. But you said----"
"I know, Captain Ponsberry, and I am glad of the chance to get away.Luke and I have talked it over once more, and yesterday we met a gunnernamed Steve Colton--he served on the _Brooklyn_ at the time Walter did.He is now a gun captain on board of Admiral Togo's flagship, and he isalmost certain he can get us good positions. He says gunners andgunners' assistants are just now badly needed."
"Then go by all means, Larry, and make even a bigger record for yourselfthan your brother Ben is making in the army. Perhaps, when this war isover, you'll come back to the old _Columbia_, eh?"
"More than likely, and I guess Luke Striker will come, too."
What Larry had said about meeting Steve Colton was true. As readers of astory of mine entitled "Fighting in Cuban Waters" know, Colton had beena gun captain under Commodore Schley, and as such had become fairly wellacquainted with Walter Russell and had also heard of Larry, who was atthat time serving under Admiral Dewey at Manila.
A detail from Admiral Togo's flagship had been sent ashore at Nagasaki,and Larry and Luke, as they walked through the streets, had met severalof these men. Hearing two of them speaking English they had halted thepair; and introductions had followed.
"So you are Larry Russell," said Steve Colton. "Any relation to WalterRussell that once served on the U. S. Cruiser _Brooklyn_?"
"Walter is my brother," replied Larry, quickly.
"Oh, so you are the chap that was cast away in the Pacific and picked upby Admiral Dewey's flagship, eh?"
"The same, and this is the friend who was with me, Luke Striker."
"Glad to know ye both." Steve Colton shook hands. "This is my friend,Bob Stanford--he hails from San Francisco and is a gunner's mate withme. What are you doing in this corner of the earth?"
A long talk followed, in which Larry and Luke told their story, andSteve Colton and his friend related how they had come to join theJapanese navy.
"It's this way," said Colton. "I've got the fighting blood in my veinsand it won't come out. As soon as this war broke out, I cut sticks from'Frisco with Bob and we comes to Tokio. There I met another American whowas in the navy here, and it wasn't two days before we were booked forAdmiral Togo's flagship. We've been down to Port Arthur twice, and Ireckon we'll go again before long."
"Perhaps we'll go up to Vladivostok next time," came from Bob Stanford."I've heard something of bombarding that Russian port."
Colton and Stanford had a couple of hours to themselves and Larry andLuke invited them over to the _Columbia_. In return they were asked tocome over to Admiral Togo's flagship, the gunners having the privilegeof bringing their friends aboard during the brief stay in Nagasakiharbor.
"You can come aboard to-morrow," said Steve Colton. "They have aninspection and drill, and you can see how they do it in the Japanesenavy--not but what it's a good bit like it's done on Uncle Sam'swarships."
Larry and Luke were very willing to go aboard of the Japanese warship,and were taken out by Colton the next day, and introduced to severalgunners and others who could speak a little English. They were alsotaken before the head gunner, who took them to the commander of thewarship.
"They both served under Admiral Dewey at Manila," said the head gunner,and this made the commander smile quietly as he shook hands and toldthem to make themselves at home.
"Everything is as clean as a whistle," was Larry's comment, as theywalked around the forward part of the warship and through the gun decks."The Japs certainly know how to take care of things. Luke, just look athow the brasswork shines!"
"That's the way it ought to be," was the Yankee tar's reply. "Noslackness, an' I'm glad on it. I love a clean ship above all things."
Steve Colton and Bob Stanford were enthusiastic over the gun theycommanded and explained how it worked. It was certainly an effectiveweapon and Larry and Luke were thoroughly interested.
"I could handle sech a gun myself," said Luke. "An' do some damage, too;eh, Larry?"
"Anyway, I'd like to try it," returned the youth.
Orders were now being issued for the inspection and drill, and presentlynearly all on board of the flagship hurried to the main deck. Here themarines were drawn up in long lines, with the officers in their properplaces. The sailors and gunners were also at hand, each togged out inhis best, for inspection by an admiral on any warship means a greatdeal.
Presently Admiral Togo appeared, followed by several other navalofficers of lesser rank. He was in full dress, with many decorations onhis breast, and carried his sword. He proved to be a man well along inyears, with a round face, and small mustache and goatee.
"He looks like a fighter!" whispered Larry.
"True for you, lad," returned Luke. "An' I reckon he knows how to handlemen."
What our friends said about Admiral Togo was true. He was a fighter anda born leader of men. When the Naval Academy of Japan was inaugurated hewas one of the first graduates, and he was sent by the government tocomplete his nautical education in England, where, during 1873 and 1874,he served on the training ship _Worcester_, making a record for himselfas a first-class pupil in every respect.
On returning home Togo Heihachiro--to use his full name--found a greattask confronting his people. They were becoming civilized as we termcivilization and needed a modern navy. He set to work with vim andvigor, and then and there laid the foundation of that navy which isto-day known as one of the most effective in the world.
The navy had scarcely come into existence when there came rumors of warwith China. The rumors grew, and China became more and more hatefultoward the Japanese. To the outside world it looked as if China, withher vast territory and her immense number of people, would swallow upthe sons of Nippon bodily.
At last it was discovered that China was transporting troops with whichto begin the war. Togo waited for no instructions from his homegovernment. He went at the Chinese with vigor. The war followed, andafter a number of thrilling contests the Japanese were victorious, andAdmiral Togo emerged from the struggle covered with glory.
"He is the man to lead us to victory against the Russians!" was the crythroughout the navy, when war was declared between Russia and Japan, andhow he sent his ships to Port Arthur and other places, and whateffective work was done by them, has already been related. In the wholeof the Japanese navy, to serve on the admiral's flagship, the _Mikasa_,was considered a great honor.
The inspection and drill were exceedingly interesting to Larry and Luke,and they watched both with close attention. After it was over AdmiralTogo addressed the men briefly and then turned to the commander of theship.
"See, he is pointing to us!" whispered Luke. "Hang me if I don't thinkhe is talking about us to the captain!"
"An officer is coming," replied Larry, and a moment later one of theadmiral's staff
came hurrying to them.
"Are you the two Americans who served under Admiral Dewey at Manila?"questioned the staff officer.
"We are," answered Larry.
"Admiral Togo wishes you to come to him."
"Oh, Luke, we are going to be presented to the admiral!" cried Larry.
"Great pewter!" groaned the Yankee tar. "I didn't expect this nohow. ButI don't care," he added, bracing up. "He ain't no bigger nor Dewey. Comealong."
He followed the staff officer and Larry did the same. They felt that theeyes of many of the sailors and marines were on them, and stepped out asfirmly as possible. Coming up to the admiral, they took off their capsand saluted.
Admiral Togo surveyed the two Americans with interest. He had heard howthey had come to serve under Dewey at Manila and he smiled pleasantly ashe held out his hand, first to Larry and then to Luke.
"Let me give you a welcome, my men," said he. "I have been told yourstory. I hope this visit to my ship has interested you."
"Very much, sir," answered Luke.
"I liked the drill, sir," answered Larry, with a smile. "It was fine.And everything is so clean! Really, I don't think it could be cleaner!"
At this Admiral Togo smiled again. "That is a compliment,--since itcomes from one who has served in the American navy."
He then asked them to remain where they were, while some of the men wentthrough an exercise with their cutlasses. There was also a gun drill,and they were asked to show how they had handled a gun during the battleof Manila Bay.
"You are well drilled, I can see that," said the admiral, on dismissingthem. "They tell me you think of entering our navy. If you wish to do soI think likely we can find suitable openings for you."