this he gave a Russian gunner a rap in the mouth which knocked loose
several teeth. It was a case of each man for himself, and many fought
like wild beasts.

At last Larry found himself free of the crowd, with Luke still beside
him. Captain Ponsberry and Cal Vincent were not far away, but between
surged a great number of Russians. The _Pocastra_ was listing heavily to
port and had evidently taken a large quantity of water into her hull.

Two Japanese warships were now at hand and both were firing upon the
doomed Russian cruiser with deadly accuracy. From the fighting tops of
the Mikado's ships came a perfect hail of small bullets which sent the
Russians to the deck by the score. By this fire one of the _Columbia's_
sailors was killed and Cal Vincent was seriously wounded. A bullet
likewise grazed Luke Striker's thigh, drawing some blood, but the Yankee
tar did not know of this until the conflict was at an end and he saw the
crimson stain on his shoe top.

At last the Russian captain saw that to fight further would be useless.
The _Pocastra_ was in danger of going down at any moment. The guns could
no longer be used, and he ordered the colors lowered and put up a signal
of surrender.

A wild cheer came from the two Japanese warships when it was realized
that the battle was won. "_Banzai! Banzai!_" rent the air over and over
again. "Hurrah for the Mikado! Down with the Russians!"

A little while after the fighting came to an end, several small boats
put off from the two Japanese warships and half a dozen of the Mikado's
naval officers presented themselves at the _Pocastra's_ side. The
Russian ship still listed heavily, but after the smoke below had cleared
away it was ascertained that the damage done was not as great as had
been imagined. One of the magazines which had been in danger of blowing
up had been flooded, and the rush of sea water had likewise put out a
fire that had started in the stern.

As soon as order could be restored on board of the _Pocastra_ a complete
surrender was made to the Japanese, the Russian captain giving up his
sword. Then a general conference was had lasting over an hour. At the
end of that time, much to their surprise, the Americans were asked to go
over to one of the Japanese warships.

"We'll go, and glad of the chance," said Captain Ponsberry; and soon the
transfer was made.

CHAPTER XVI

ABOARD A JAPANESE WARSHIP

"What a beauty of a ship!"

Such was Larry's exclama