d shell flew all around the warship. One struck the
bow of the vessel, tearing off a few feet of the forward deck and
another entered the forward turret, killing one of the gunner's
assistants.

"We can be thankful we weren't in that turret," said Luke, when he
received the latter news.

"Yes, indeed!" murmured Larry, and could not repress a shiver. "I can
tell you, it's mighty risky work after all!" he added, soberly.

"Well, we've got one advantage over those fellows," put in Colton, after
the firing had come to an end, and the warship was fast getting out of
range. "We can run away, while they have got to stay right where they
are."

"Oh, they can run away too," said Larry.

"Not unless they abandon their fort,--and that would be just as if we
should abandon our ship."

The work at the gun had been severe, and after the bombardment was over
Larry was glad to clean up and take a rest. The perspiration, grime, and
smoke had made him look like a negro, and he used up several buckets of
water before he got himself into as cleanly a condition as was habitual
with him. Luke also took a "scrubbing down," as he called it, and so did
the others.

What amazed Larry more than anything was the quietness of the Japanese
sailors. Now that the bombardment was ended they said scarcely a word
about it, but went on exactly as before.

"They are the most matter-of-fact chaps I ever saw!" he declared. "I
believe if the ship blew up they would say 'Very sorry' and swim away.
Now on one of Uncle Sam's ships the men would be all woke up and out for
a jollification. Ben says it's the same way in the army. If they get
excited at all they always seem to be sorry for it afterwards!"

"That's what ye call a characteristic o' the race, I reckon," returned
Luke. "They're taught to act that way from babyhood. It ain't polite nor
high-toned to git excited. The only thing they kin yell is _Banzai!_ an'
they let thet out loud enough, goodness knows!"

"I can't understand why we didn't keep at that fort," came from Colton.
"I was just getting the range beautifully when orders came to shut
down."

"Well, there must be a reason for it, Steve," answered Luke.

There was a reason for it. Admiral Togo had just received word that
certain ships of the Port Arthur squadron were going to make an attempt
to break out of the harbor, either that night or the next day.
Consequently the _Shohirika_ was needed further down the coast, and
steamed away