after a powder train. There was a report
that either the Russians or the Chunchuses were going to try to capture
it or blow it up. Now, how have you been, and what are you doing here? I
thought the old _Columbia_ was at Nagasaki."

"You want to know as much as I do, Ben." There was a pause and both
laughed merrily, they felt so happy. "I'm as sound as a fiddle. The
_Columbia_ is at Nagasaki and likely to stay there for some time. Allow
me to introduce myself, Lawrence Russell, gunner's mate aboard of the
Mikado's cruiser _Shohirika_. My head gunner is Luke Striker, Esquire."

"Never!" burst from Ben. "Well, this certainly is news. So you and Luke
enlisted? Have you had any fighting?"

"Not exactly. But we have seen some rough times," answered Larry, and
then, as soon as Ben could get away for a quiet half-hour, he related
his story in detail, just as I have set it down in these pages.

"You are assuredly a lucky chap, Larry, not to be in a Russian prison
this minute," said his brother, after the young sailor had finished.

"Perhaps I am lucky, Ben. But it wasn't much of luck to have that
Shamhaven and Peterson walk off with my money belt."

"That is so, but as the amount taken wasn't a fortune I shouldn't worry
about it. I can let you have any money you need."

"I don't need any, and, besides, Luke is acting as my banker. But now
tell me about yourself."

"There isn't very much to tell, outside of what I put down in that
letter you received. As you know, Gilbert and I are both attached to
this command of Major Okopa."

"Where is Gilbert now?"

"His company was to bring up the rear. They'll be here very shortly.
Since the battle of Liao-Yang we have been on special duty, looking
after the pack and powder trains, and have seen very little of fighting.
We are reinforcing our lines daily, and I think the Russians must be
doing the same. I expect some more heavy fighting soon, unless winter
steps in and puts a stop to everything. The nights are already rather
cool," added Ben.

It was half an hour later that the company under Gilbert came in, having
in their custody two Chinese bandits that had tried to steal four horses
belonging to two Japanese army carts.

"So it's really you, Larry!" cried the young Southerner, as he shook
hands. "I'm mightily glad to see you and see you looking so well. I
suppose Ben has told you all the news."

"Yes, and Larry has been telling some too," put in Ben. "He has seen
almost