assistants cleaning out one of the large guns.

Suddenly came a call from the lookout, followed by half a dozen
commands. As everything said was in Russian, our friends did not
understand a word, but they soon realized that something unusual was in
the air. A shrill whistle sounded out and drums began to beat to
quarters.

"I'll wager a new hat they have sighted a Japanese ship!" cried Larry,
and scarcely had he spoken when there came a dull booming over the
water.

"Let us go to the deck an' see what's doing," returned Luke, and both
started for the stairs. But scarcely had they appeared on the deck when
they were ordered below again.

Larry was right; a Japanese warship had been sighted, and this vessel
had lost no time in discharging a signal gun to a sister ship only a few
miles away.

Hardly had the youth and his friend reached the lower deck once more
than the Japanese cruiser opened fire on the Russian vessel. The latter
retaliated, and the booming of cannon shook the _Pocastra_ from stem to
stern.

"This is a fight for fair!" ejaculated Luke, with a broad smile on his
face.

"I hope the Japs win, Luke!"

"So do I, lad. But where do we come in, that's what I want to know?"

"If we could only drop overboard and swim to that other ship!"

"No use of trying--some of the fellows in the tops would pick us off in
no time. No, we've got to stay right where we are an' take what comes."

"Where are the others?"

They looked around, but could see nothing of Captain Ponsberry or Tom
Grandon. They saw Cal Vincent run past, but he was out of sight before
they could stop him.

Suddenly a crash above them told that a solid shot had struck the upper
works of the Russian cruiser. Then came another crash at the bow.

"Those Japs know how to fire," came from the Yankee sailor. "Reckon as
how they're going to do their best to blow this ship sky-high. I'd give
'most a dollar to be somewhere else just about now!" And he shook his
head anxiously.

The Russian gunners were working with a will, and so were their numerous
assistants. The _Pocastra_ was swung around, and now both ships were
broadside to each other. The thunder of the guns was terrific and the
smoke rolled around in all directions.

"Puts me in mind o' the battle o' Manila Bay, eh?" remarked Luke, as he
and Larry stood at a distance, watching the Russians work one of the
guns.

"You are right, Luke, only----"

Larry got no further, for at that momen