he boat. Then, one wet and cold
morning, he was liberated and told to march on deck. From the vessel he
was taken to a big stone building which was being used as one of the
garrison quarters. Here he was given a scant hearing in the presence of
Captain Barusky, who appeared against him.

"We have no time to investigate your case at present, Captain Russell,"
said the officer who conducted the examination. "But from reports I
should surmise that you are a dangerous young man. You must remain a
prisoner." And then the young captain was taken away. Later on, he was
marched a distance of half a mile and blindfolded. When the bandage was
removed from his eyes, he found himself in an old stone building, dirty
and neglected. He was taken to a small room, having a grated window, and
thrust inside. Six other prisoners were put into the apartment with him,
one man with a hacking cough, dreadful to hear. The door was closed and
barred; and all were left to take care of themselves as best they could.

CHAPTER XXVII

A FIERCE BATTLE AT SEA

Larry was taking a nap when the call came to clear the ship for action.
It had been discovered that the Russian fleet was trying to escape from
Port Arthur harbor, and the news was flashed from vessel to vessel of
Admiral Togo's fleet, and all were ordered to prevent the movement at
any cost.

"Now I reckon we are in fer it!" ejaculated Luke, as he and the youth
rushed over to their gun. "Larry, it's in my mind we have some tall work
cut out fer us this trip!"

"Let it come--I am in just the humor for fighting!" cried Larry. "I hope
we can smash them just as we smashed the Spanish ships in Manila Bay."

Sailors and gunners were hurrying in all directions, and orders were
coming in rapid succession. At first the Russian ships had turned in one
direction, now they were turning in another, and, later still, they
separated. A distant firing could already be heard, but where it came
from those on the _Shohirika_ could not tell.

So far no ships of the enemy could be seen with the naked eye. The
lookouts kept a close watch, and the flashlights continued to play all
over the bosom of the rolling sea.

It was almost daylight when a distant explosion was heard. A Russian
torpedo boat had run into a mine and was so badly damaged that she sank
inside of ten minutes, carrying a large part of her crew with her.

This disaster proved a warning to the other Russian ships and they
proceeded o