ong in
years, 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 handle
men."

What our friends said about Admiral Togo was true. He was a fighter and
a born leader of men. When the Naval Academy of Japan was inaugurated he
was one of the first graduates, and he was sent by the government to
complete his nautical education in England, where, during 1873 and 1874,
he served on the training ship _Worcester_, making a record for himself
as a first-class pupil in every respect.

On returning home Togo Heihachiro--to use his full name--found a great
task confronting his people. They were becoming civilized as we term
civilization and needed a modern navy. He set to work with vim and
vigor, and then and there laid the foundation of that navy which is
to-day known as one of the most effective in the world.

The navy had scarcely come into existence when there came rumors of war
with China. The rumors grew, and China became more and more hateful
toward the Japanese. To the outside world it looked as if China, with
her vast territory and her immense number of people, would swallow up
the sons of Nippon bodily.

At last it was discovered that China was transporting troops with which
to begin the war. Togo waited for no instructions from his home
government. He went at the Chinese with vigor. The war followed, and
after a number of thrilling contests the Japanese were victorious, and
Admiral Togo emerged from the struggle covered with glory.

"He is the man to lead us to victory against the Russians!" was the cry
throughout the navy, when war was declared between Russia and Japan, and
how he sent his ships to Port Arthur and other places, and what
effective work was done by them, has already been related. In the whole
of 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 Admiral
Togo addressed the men briefly and then turned to the commander of the
ship.

"See, he is pointing to us!" whispered Luke. "Hang me if I don't think
he is talking about us to the captain!"

"An officer is coming," replied Larry, and a moment later one of the
admiral's staff came hurrying to them.

"Are you the two Americans who served under Admiral Dewe