wn up."

"Oh, I reckon our captain is watching out fer them pesky things."

Larry was interested in watching the sharpshooters and range-finders in
the tops, and he walked across the deck to get a better look at them.
Luke followed, and as he did so, one of the nearest of the Russian ships
sent out a roaring broadside at the _Shohirika_ which raked her fore and
aft and sent another hole through her side, but this time above the
water line where it did scant damage.

"Gee Christopher!" began Luke, when he chanced to glance upward. "Larry,
look out!" he screamed. "The top's coming down on ye!"

Luke was right. One of the shots from the enemy had struck the foremast,
above the fighting top, and it was crashing down, carrying a portion of
the ship's flag with it. One end struck the gun turret, and then the
wreckage hit Larry on the shoulder, hurling him on his back.

The foremast was heavy and had it struck the youth before landing on the
turret and the surrounding works it might have killed the young gunner's
mate on the spot. As it was, Larry lay like a log where he had fallen
and when Luke raised him up the old tar found him unconscious.

"If he ain't got his shoulder broke then I miss my guess," muttered the
Yankee gunner. "Larry! Larry! Can't ye speak to me?"

"That was a nasty one," came from one of the officers of the deck.
"Better carry him below." And then the officer gave orders to remove the
wreckage and hoist the flag once more.

With the unconscious youth in his arms, Luke hurried below and to the
sick bay of the warship. Here the surgeon got to work immediately and
examined Larry thoroughly.

"No bones broken," he announced. "But the bruise is severe and he is
suffering from shock. He will soon come to his senses."

Luke had to return to his gun, for duty is duty in the navy, regardless
of what is happening around one. It was true, the Russian warships were
now doing their best to sneak back into Port Arthur harbor and Admiral
Togo wanted to do all the damage possible before the forts made it
impossible to follow them further. All of the warships' guns were worked
to their utmost, and when the Russian vessels did get back they were so
badly crippled that they were of small consequence for future fighting
until undergoing repairs.

When Larry opened his eyes again he found himself lying on a clean white
cot in the ship's hospital with an attendant standing over him bathing
his face.

"Oh!" he murm