Kobo: A Story of the Russo-Japanese War

by Herbert Strang

  *CHAPTER VI*

  *Helping-to-Decide*

  A Torpedo-destroyer--Sea Legs--At Chemulpo--A Recognition--Stopping aRunaway--Mystification

  For nearly a week after his adventure in the box-battery Bob was laidup. The sickening fumes had upset his system, and the ship's doctorinsisted on his remaining in his bunk until he was thoroughly recovered.His first question on regaining consciousness had been for Yamaguchi,and he was rejoiced to hear that the lieutenant, though slightly woundedby a splinter from the shell, had been rescued from the poison-filledbattery just in time.

  "He owes his life to your plucky action," said Captain Igichi warmly,when he visited him the day after the bombardment. "His wound alonewould not have been serious, but another minute in the battery wouldhave done for him."

  Bob made light of the matter, and was embarrassed to find that he wasregarded with even more warmth of friendliness than before. TheJapanese officers did not overwhelm him with praise, courage was toomuch a matter of course with them for that; but though they said little,Bob felt that they now looked on him as one who had proved his right totheir comradeship, and he knew that to a Japanese this meant a greatdeal.

  He was no sooner fit for duty again than he was transferred to the_Mikasa's_ sister ship the _Hatsuse_, whose range-finder was urgentlyneeding attention. The standard on which the tube containing thetelescope rested had been broken by the fragment of a shell, thoughfortunately the mechanism itself had been but slightly damaged. Withthe aid of the ship's clever artificers Bob was able to repair theinjury in a very short time.

  He remained on the _Hatsuse_ for more than a fortnight, during which hewitnessed the first plucky dash of the Japanese torpedo-destroyers onPort Arthur, the attempt by five stone-laden steamers to block thechannel, and the second bombardment, in which the Japanese vesselsreceived no damage. Then one morning he was unexpectedly transferred toa torpedo-destroyer which had been ordered to Chemulpo. He was there toplace himself under the orders of Admiral Uriu, if that officer werestill at the port.

  There was a considerable swell on, but it was a calm, bright, cold daywhen Bob left the monster battle-ship, which scarcely felt the motion ofthe waves, for the tiny _Kasumi_, rolling and pitching beneath. A boatwas lowered from the _Hatsuse_, and but for his experience in yachtingon the lower reaches of the Clyde Bob might have had some qualms as tohow he was to mount the rope-ladder let down over the side of the_Kasumi_. Though he failed to make the ascent with the nimbleness of adeep-sea pilot, he was on his mettle, and did not disgrace himself inthe eyes of the crews of the _Hatsuse_ and _Kasumi_, critically watchinghim from their respective vessels.

  On reaching the deck of the destroyer he was as much surprised aspleased to meet Yamaguchi. He knew that the sub-lieutenant on hisrecovery had been promoted and appointed to a torpedo vessel, but untilthis moment he had been unaware to which. Their meeting was verycordial; Yamaguchi looked on Bob as his preserver, and Bob on his partwas delighted to find that he was to make the passage to Chemulpo incompany with one whom he already regarded as a friend.

  Besides Yamaguchi, the officers on board were two sub-lieutenants, adoctor, and an engineer.

  "We are fifty-five all told," added Yamaguchi, after introducing theirnew mess-mate.

  "Where do you stow them all?" asked Bob in surprise.

  "Come and see."

  The lieutenant showed him first his own cabin, in the after part of thevessel--a room about ten feet square by seven high, with about as muchaccommodation as a small bathing-machine. Next to it was the ward-room,a trifle larger in area, in which Yamaguchi proposed that Bob shouldmake his sleeping quarters on a small settee.

  "It's half a mile too short for you," he said with a smile.

  "I can lengthen it, or double myself up," replied Bob, who was indeedmore than satisfied with his quarters when he saw the space allotted tothe officers--four tiny cabins, each of which could have stoodcomfortably on an ordinary four-poster bedstead. Amidships were theengine-room and stoke-holds, shimmering with a white light from thefurnaces, so intense that the stokers had to wear coloured glass gogglesto preserve their eyes from blindness. The stokers, strong of arm andsteady of nerve, looked like small demons from the Inferno as they keptcheerful watch on the gauges, cooped up as they were within the lengthof a man's body from the blazing mouths.

  On the fo'c'sle forward were the conning-tower and the captain's bridge,with the _Kasumi's_ single heavy gun--a twelve-pounder. Beneath, in acompartment about half as long again as a full-sized billiard-table, wasthe bed- and sitting-room of the crew; three rows of hammocks were slungalong each side, one beneath another. In a heavy sea the whole deck, inspite of the steel breastwork on each side of the conning-tower wasliable to be swept with water from end to end. Bob was not squeamish,but he shuddered as he imagined the conditions under which the crewspent their watch below. It was a lucky thing, he thought, that theJapanese require even less than the limited space indispensable to theBritish Jack-tar.

  The _Kasumi_ was rolling and pitching so inconsiderately when Bobboarded her, that in making his way along the deck in Yamaguchi's wakehe had to cling to every available means of support. And yet the swellhad only been sufficient to give a pleasant, slow, rocking movement tothe _Hatsuse_ he had just left. But it was not until the gallant craftbegan to drive her nose at speed into a head sea that Bob began torealize what life on a torpedo-destroyer really was. There was perhapsa little less roll, but the pitching was a revelation of what a boat cansuffer without breaking her back. Bob clung to a stanchion, expectingevery moment that the huge mass of water breaking over the fore-bridgeand flooding the deck amidships would rend the vessel asunder. Itseemed impossible that the hull, of merely egg-shell thickness, couldsurvive the strain. The low bow slugged into a monstrous bank of greenwater. "Now she's done for!" thought Bob. But a moment later she wasbalanced giddily on the crest of the wave, and began to switchback intothe abyss beneath. All the time the mighty heart of the vessel wasthrobbing strenuously; Bob caught himself counting the pulse with a kindof anxiety lest the engines should prove unequal to their task.

  "How do you like this?" said Yamaguchi in Bob's ear.

  "Pretty well; it's rather be-wild--"

  He was choked by a shower of spray, which left him gasping.

  "You'll soon get used to it," said Yamaguchi with a smile.

  It was some hours, however, before Bob was sufficiently accustomed tothe _Kasumi's_ eccentricities to be able to move about with any freedom.He found meal-time in the little ward-room particularly trying. Thefood was served out in tins; the officers sat at the table with feetplanted firmly on the floor, and managed to gulp their soup between therolls of the vessel. But Bob was not sufficiently practised to time hismovements properly. He would raise the tin to his lips, only to findthat he opened his mouth on empty air, or that the soup made a prematuresally and covered a considerable part of his face and clothes, a merestarvation portion entering at the proper gate.

  There was an even more unpleasant experience in store for him when heturned in for the night. Do what he could he was unable to avoid beingtossed off the settee, rolled under the table, and brought up with ajolt at the opposite side of the room. The most ingeniously-contrivedbreastwork of cushions proved of no avail; it might survive a roll and apitch separately, but when the motions were combined it was incapable ofthe complicated resistance necessary, and Bob, just dropping off tosleep, found himself sprawling among his bastions and outworks beneaththe table.

  "Hang it!" he growled, groping upwards after one of these mishaps;"better stay where I'm chucked!"

  He pulled his coverlets off, and making a bed beneath the settee and oneleg of the table, managed to reduce the area of his gyrations byclutching the table leg whenever his equilibrium was in jeopardy.

  It was a still, fair morning when, on awaking from his troubled sleepand going on deck, he saw before him the city of Chemulpo
rising fromthe sea-front up a steep snow-clad hill. It looked very picturesque inthe sunlight. The quay was crowded with Koreans in their strange blackmitre-shaped caps and long tasselled coats; coolies trudging along underburdens pendent to yokes of forked sticks bound to their shoulders;greatcoated Japanese soldiers, just landed from the transports in theharbour, moving with a brisk purposeful alacrity. Brawny Korean boatmenwere propelling heavy-laden sampans from the transports to the quay;children in blue padded garments were running about, watching everythingwith wide curious eyes, and getting in everybody's way.

  But what attracted most attention and caused most excitement on the_Kasumi_ was the sight of the wrecks of the Russian ships sunk after theaction of February 8. In one case a part of the hull, in the other onlythe funnel and mast, stood up a little above the waterline in theharbour,--shattered remnants of the _Korietz_ and _Variag_; and as the_Kasumi_ steamed past, Bob had his first opportunity of seeing at closequarters something of the effects of modern weapons of destruction. Butthere was no sign of any Japanese war-ships; as Bob afterwards learnt,they had left harbour some time previously for an unknown destination.

  Bob, in company with Yamaguchi, was punted to the quay in a sampan, andhe could not but admire the dexterity with which the muscular boatman,standing in the bows, drove the tapering-prowed boat through thebewildering maze of small craft. There was no time to explore the town,for Yamaguchi at once made for the railway-station. He had told Bob thathe was the bearer of a communication from Admiral Togo to General Kurokiat Seoul, and Bob, having nothing to do in Admiral Uriu's absence, wasready enough to accept his invitation to accompany him. Soon the trainwas bearing them over snow-covered flats, past rough huts, round thebases of the white hills, into the more open country, and finally over abroad ice-bound river to the terminus some distance from the walls ofSeoul. There, instead of hiring a rickshaw as Bob expected, Yamaguchihastened into the city through one of the arched and towered gateways,and passing up the crowded main street, boarded a small electrictram-car, in which the Korean passengers were as much at home as anyEuropean.

  "Up to date, you see," said Yamaguchi.

  "Yes; upon my word the Far East is going ahead. Fancy electric cars inKorea!"

  "Japanese, my friend. Owned by a Japanese company; driver, conductor,all the employees are Japanese."

  "A peaceful conquest of the country to begin with."

  "Now I must leave you," said Yamaguchi, as they stepped out of the car."You won't mind waiting for me for a few minutes?"

  The few minutes lengthened themselves out to nearly an hour before thelieutenant returned, but Bob found the time short, so much did he seethat interested him. He watched the people passing. Some of the men,he noticed, were hatless, and wore their hair long; others had shorthair, and through their transparent flower-pot-shaped hats he could seea curious top-knot on their heads, the distinguishing mark, as heafterwards learnt, of the married men. One old man, as he passed,opened out a fan-shaped bundle of oil-paper which dangled from his belt,and tied it over his hat, which it served in the office of an umbrellaagainst a light shower of snow then falling. Everybody wore huge paddedtrousers and a short bell-shaped coat with wide sleeves, and walkedalong on strange sandal-like shoes bound to the feet by many strands ofpaper cord. Scarcely any women were to be seen; the Korean ladies arekept secluded, and do not go out into the streets except at night. Thefew women whom Bob saw were almost hidden by their long green cloaks,with which they hastily covered their heads at the appearance of astranger.

  While waiting for Yamaguchi outside the pagoda-shaped house in whichGeneral Kuroki was staying, Bob saw a Chinaman come out, whom heinstantly recognized as the younger of the two men who had soopportunely run to his assistance at Sasebo. On the impulse of themoment Bob stepped forward to speak to the man, but remembered suddenlythat he knew no English. The Chinaman passed by without giving any signof recognition. Soon afterwards Yamaguchi appeared, and, announcingthat he found it necessary to remain in Seoul until the next morning,offered to show Bob some of the curiosities of the town. The rest ofthat day was spent in wandering through the broad streets and sidealleys, blocked with wares encroaching from the shops, and crowded withnoisy, dirty little children playing happily in the filthy gutters.Yamaguchi explained how greatly the city had been improved of recentyears, chiefly through the energy of Mr. M'Leavy Brown, the brilliantScotsman who had so long and so wisely held the administration of theCustoms.

  Next morning Yamaguchi again had an interview with General Kuroki. Ashe left the house with Bob, the Chinaman whom the latter had seen on theprevious day came up in the opposite direction, and Bob thought he saw afaint sign of recognition pass between him and the Japanese.

  "Who is he?" asked Bob, when the Chinaman had passed. "I saw himyesterday, and a month ago at Sasebo, and I can't help thinking I hadseen him somewhere before that."

  "All Chinamen are pretty much alike, don't you think?"

  Bob saw that Yamaguchi had evaded his question and was not disposed togive any information. Such silence only piqued his curiosity, and asthey went on he found himself speculating still more deeply on theidentity of the Chinese merchant, and endeavouring to recall thecircumstances of their first meeting, which had not been, he was sure,at Sasebo.

  New transports had evidently just arrived, for the streets were filledwith Japanese soldiers, guns, and baggage-trains, preparing to move upcountry. Bob noticed, at the entrance of a side street, a Koreangentleman of high rank, to judge by his rich dress, waiting on horsebackfor a troop of cavalry to pass. Beside him was a group of Koreans,apparently his servants, and among them a low palanquin, elaboratelydecorated, through the open side of which Bob caught a glimpse of aveiled lady. The bearers, two fine-looking coolies, in white robes andround hats, stood at the front and rear of the palanquin.

  The cavalry trotted by, and Bob, as he walked after them, remarked witha smile to Yamaguchi that they were not very easy riders.

  "That is true," replied Yamaguchi, "but in the mud and snow of Koreathey'll prove more useful than your Life Guards."

  They had barely gone a quarter of a mile up the street, when Bob noticeda sudden commotion among them. The horse of one of the rearmosttroopers, startled by the sudden appearance at the end of an alley of abull heavily laden with bundles of straw, began to prance and curvet,then wheeled round, bucked, and, throwing its rider, set off on a madgallop down the street. Bob instinctively looked behind him to see whatthere was to check the animal's mad career. He saw that the Koreangentleman had resumed his journey, being propped up by a servant on eachside lest he should topple over on his high saddle; with the palanquinand his servants, he took up almost the whole width of the street. Bythis time people were shouting, and the clatter of the horse's hoofs wascoming ever nearer. With one consent the Korean's servants ran to thesides of the street, the palanquin bearers dropped their poles and leftthe conveyance in the middle of the road, while the gentleman himselfstruggled with his horse, which had been rendered restive by theever-increasing clamour.

  Nothing stood between the palanquin and the runaway steed but Bob andYamaguchi. Clearly, unless the animal's progress was checked, in a fewmoments it would dash into the palanquin, and that, being constructedchiefly of bamboo and lacquer, was certain to be utterly wrecked, whileits occupant would probably be killed, or at any rate seriously injured.

  The danger of the situation was instantly manifest. Bob dashed forward afew yards to meet the advancing horse; then, having placed a sufficientdistance between himself and the palanquin, he halted suddenly and stoodfull in the pathway of the runaway animal. It came straight down uponhim at a mad gallop. As it passed Bob sprang slightly aside, andseizing its hanging bridle dragged on it with all his might.Fortunately it was a light horse, standing only some fourteen hands; butin spite of this Bob felt as though his arm were being wrenched from itssocket as he clutched at the reins. He was dragged along and almostpulled off his feet; but Yamaguchi came to his a
ssistance, and thefrightened animal was brought to a stop within a yard of the palanquin.There it stood with heaving flanks and panting nostrils, quivering.

  Bob retained the bridle, and was beginning to lead the the horse up thestreet towards his rider, who was more chagrined than hurt, when theKorean gentleman overtook him on foot. He was extremely agitated, and,making a low bow, began to pour out his thanks in the strange monotonousjerky language of the country. Yamaguchi, interrupting him, spoke a fewwords in the same tongue. The Korean stopped, made a still lowerobeisance, and said slowly in a strange compound of colloquial Englishand journalese that tickled Bob's sense of humour:

  "I thank you very much, hon'ble sir. You do me gigantic favour. Yousave my wife--better-half, by your daring courage. It was jolly closething. Accept, hon'ble sir, my profound thanks."

  Bob bowed his acknowledgments, but his embarrassment was ratherincreased when the polite Korean, untying one of several little bags oforange-coloured silk that hung at his waist-band and served him aspockets, produced a limp visiting-card, and handed it with another lowbow to his benefactor. Bob thanked him, and looked in some perplexityat the incomprehensible hieroglyphics on the card.

  "You do not understand?" said the Korean. "My name, hon'ble sir, isSan-Po. I am--" He stopped and looked puzzled, evidently at a momentaryloss for an English word. Then his brow cleared, and he added rapidly:"I am helping-to-decide in His Imperial Majesty's War Office. If,hon'ble sir, you do me honour of a visit in my house towards An-ju, Ishall esteem it greatest hon'ble favour--jolly well pleased."

  Yamaguchi was smiling, evidently enjoying the situation. He did notoffer to help Bob out of his embarrassment.

  "Thank you, sir," said Bob, "I am afraid I am not coming that way justnow, but another time--perhaps--"

  He finished the sentence with a bow, to which the Korean responded witha lavish acknowledgment of his condescension. As Bob turned to continuehis journey with Yamaguchi, he became aware that Korean courtliness hasits obverse. Though he did not understand the words, there was nomistaking the tenor of the vehement harangue which the gentleman wasaddressing to his absconding bearers, who had now slunk back to theirpoles.

  "What in the world does he mean by helping-to-decide in the War Office?"asked Bob.

  "Oh, the war minister, the Pan-Go, or decisive signature, has what youcall under-secretaries, the Cham Pan, which means help to decide; andunder them are the Cham Wi, which means help to discuss. Our politefriend is one of the Cham Pan. But it really doesn't matter, for thewhole army is quite useless. It never fights."

  "All shams together," said Bob with a smile.

  "San-Po spent a year or two in England: entered at Lincoln's Inn, Ibelieve: that explains his command of English."

  "It's a fearful and wonderful mixture. Mr. Helping-to-decide is ratheran oddity. I'd rather like to see him at home, though I don't suppose Ishould enjoy it so much as my visit to Nikko. I never had a better timethan with one of your countrymen there, Kobo San."

  "Kobo San!" ejaculated Yamaguchi, with an accent of surprise.

  "Yes. Do you know him?"

  "I've met him," replied the lieutenant shortly, with another change oftone. Bob looked at him, but his face was inscrutable.