d have been
obtained, in the other of his whose consent was sure.

Then they looked up to find themselves almost in the midst of a great
fire which their absorption had kept them from noticing. And it was at
once but too plain that Yone's home was in that part of the district
already burned clear. Of course there were parents and brothers to
think of at once, and in thought of their safety Yone forgot the
opportunity for her outcasting and the hastening of her happiness. When
she remembered, it was too late.

She had been pounced upon by her father, and borne in joy to the
rendezvous where all the brothers and sisters, as well as the parents of
Yone, were now in prosaic safety and little perturbation. Shijiro
Arisuga had, upon the appearance of the father, ignominiously
disappeared--which, indeed, was the best thing which could have happened
for Yone, so far as her safety from scandal was concerned, and the worst
so far as her wish for an immediate marriage was concerned. There was,
now, not the least hope of an outcasting. No one had even seen Shijiro,
it appeared, nor knew of their going away or coming back together.

"How did you escape, my pleasant daughter?" cried the happy father,
embracing her.

"I do not know," said Yone, with some truth, looking furtively about for
Arisuga.

"And fully dressed?" asked the father again.

With a sigh of disgust, Yone answered again that she did not know.

"It was an interposition of the gods."

"Yes," sighed Yone, in her heart, "I suppose it was an interposition of
the infernal gods."

For Shijiro was undoubtedly gone, not at once to return.

"The smell of fire has not even passed upon your garments," pursued the
delighted parent.

"It is very strange," sighed the daughter.

"The gods love you!" declared her father.

"I suppose so," answered Yone, indifferently, thinking of quite another
escape and another love.

It happened that the next day the _Kowshing_ was sunk and the Guards
started for Ping-Yang.

PING-YANG

VII

PING-YANG

Arisuga sang for the Guards, and made rhymes and laughter, and they
liked him tremendously, as big men are inclined to like little ones,
until they reached Ping-Yang, when they liked him still more for
something better. You will remember how the first assault of the
Japanese was met by the Chinese, who had yet to be taught defeat. The
big Satsuma color-bearer was killed, and the flag fell in the polluting
Chinese