n their courses with added caution. The Japanese warships
were equally on the alert, yet, just as the sun came up, one brushed
against a mine and received such damage that she was practically put out
of the contest.

"There is one of the enemy's ships!" was the cry, as the mist swept away
as if by magic and the sun came out strongly. "Now is our chance.
_Banzai!_"

"And there is another ship!" came a moment later, "and one of our own
pounding her as if she was a witch!"

Guns were now booming over the water constantly, and from the forts on
shore came shots and shells in rapid succession. Soon the _Shohirika_
was in the midst of the battle, and then Luke and Larry worked over the
gun as never before, doing their full share towards disabling the ship
that was trying to escape up the Manchurian coast.

For over an hour the running fire kept up. Neither ship dared to put on
full speed, for fear of running into a mine. Solid shot was hurled in
all directions, and the _Shohirika_ received one below the water line
which for the moment looked as if it might sink the craft. But the
ship's carpenter and his crew got at the leak immediately, driving in a
wedge which quickly stopped the flow of water.

It was hard, exhausting work between decks, and at the end of an hour
Larry felt he must have some fresh air. Both he and Luke applied for
permission to go on deck, and this permission was readily granted, for
the guns on their side of the warship were not then in use.

On the deck of the _Shohirika_ they could see what this battle really
meant. Dirt and debris were to be seen in many places, and half a dozen
sailors and marines had been killed or wounded. Everybody was bathed in
perspiration and grime, and some of those who worked the big guns were
panting like dogs after a chase.

"It's work, that's what it is," said Luke, running the perspiration from
his begrimed forehead with his finger. "Ain't no child's play about it!"

"And dangerous work at that," added Larry. He gave a look toward the
enemy's ships. "I declare, Luke, I believe they are running back to Port
Arthur harbor!"

"I think the same, lad," responded the Yankee gunner. "Reckon they are
findin' it is goin' to cost too much to get away. As soon as they get
away from them land batteries we can pound 'em for keeps and they know
it."

"And get away from the mines. That's the worst with fighting around
here--you don't know how soon you'll hit a mine and be blo