."

"Maybe we'll get more fighting than we want, lad. But I'd like to get
into it myself," continued the Yankee gunner, with a grin.

Two days more were spent at Nagasaki, and then, on a clear morning, the
_Shohirika_ left the harbor and steamed off in company with two sister
ships. They were to join a squadron bound for the western coast of
Korea, but where they were to go after that there was no telling.

Captain Ponsberry came to see Larry and Luke off. "Take good care of
yourselves," said the master of the _Columbia_. "An' teach them Russians
the lesson they deserve."

"We expect to do our duty," answered Larry.

Life on the Japanese warship proved to be very much like life in the
American navy. There were hours set apart for various drills and
exercises. Each day they had to go through the movements of handling the
gun, fighting with cutlasses, putting out a fire, and manning the small
boats. They also had to keep their ditty bags and grass hammocks in good
order, also their eating utensils, and each had to do his share of
cleaning up. Twice a week the ship's surgeon examined each man, to see
that he was perfectly healthy.

"I like this keeping things clean," said Larry. "It is bound to make for
good health."

"They tell me that Japanese sailors and soldiers are among the
healthiest in the world," answered Luke.

In a few days the southern point of Korea was passed and the bow of the
warship was pointed toward the eastern coast of Manchuria. They were now
getting close to the battleground and the lookout was constantly
watching for the appearance of the ships of the enemy.

"We'll have a fight before very long--I can feel it in my bones,"
declared Larry. And he was right; but before telling of that contest,
and what surprising results it led to, we shall have to tell of
something else which occurred, to delight Larry exceedingly.

CHAPTER XXII

A MEETING AND A PLOT

"Some Japanese transports are coming up," said Larry, two days later.
"Six of them, and they are crowded to the rails with soldiers."

"I reckon we are to act as an escort to them," replied Luke. "They would
need an escort, if they fell in with a Russian cruiser or two."

The Japanese transports were bound for the coast of Manchuria, to land
near the village of Petaka. Soon they fell in behind the _Shohirika_;
and then those on the warship knew that they were going to go close to
shore, if not to make an actual landing.

A fog