sudden and unlooked-for
assault had put them at disadvantage, and before the adjoining ships
could come to their aid the junk was in flames and the boats of the
victors had put off for land. With them as prisoner they carried one of
the highest officers in the invading fleet.

Yet these skirmishes did little in reducing the strength of the foe, and
had not the elements come to the aid of Japan the issue of the affair
might have been serious for the island empire. While the soldiers were
fighting the priests were praying, and the mikado sent a priestly
messenger to the shrines at Ise, bearing his petition to the gods. It
was noonday, and the sky perfectly clear, when he offered the prayer,
but immediately afterwards a broad streak of cloud rose on the horizon,
and soon the sky was overcast with dense and rolling masses, portending
a frightful storm.

It was one of the typhoons that annually visit that coast and against
whose appalling fury none but the strongest ships can stand. It fell
with all its force on the Chinese fleet, lifting the junks like straws
on the great waves which suddenly arose, tossing them together, hurling
some upon the shore, and forcing others bodily beneath the sea. Hundreds
of the light craft were sunk, and corpses were heaped on the shore in
multitudes. Many of the vessels were driven to sea, few or none of which
ever reached land. Many others were wrecked upon Taka Island. Here the
survivors, after the storm subsided, began cutting down trees and
building boats, in the hope of reaching Corea. But they were attacked by
the Japanese with such fury that all were slain but three, whose lives
were spared that they might bear back the news to their emperor and tell
him how the gods had fought for Japan.

The lesson was an effective one. The Chinese have never since attempted
the conquest of Japan, and it is the boast of the people of that country
that no invading army has ever set foot upon their shores. Six centuries
afterwards the case was to be reversed and a Japanese army to land on
Chinese soil.

Great praise was given to the Hojo then in control at Kamakura for his
energy and valor in repelling the invaders. But the chief honor was paid
to the gods enshrined at Ise, who were thenceforward adored as the
guardians of the winds and the seas. To this day the invasion of the
Mongols is vividly remembered in Kiushiu, and the mother there hushes
her fretful babe with the question, "Little one, why