Both the Russians and the Japanese on
the doomed vessel endeavored to reach the deck of the _Shohirika_. In
this struggle the majority of the Russians received the worst of it, and
fully fifty of them, including not a few wounded, remained on board when
the doomed warship took her final plunge beneath the waters of the sea.
Eighteen Japanese were likewise drowned, including two under officers.

"Surrender, or we will drive you over the side!" was the command from
the Japanese, and utterly disheartened by the loss of their ship, the
Russians threw down their arms; and the fierce and bloody contest was at
an end. The common sailors were driven forward and chained together or
bound with ropes, and the officers were grouped near the stern, where a
formal surrender was made by the captain of the lost ship giving up his
sword. This formality over, the Japanese set to work at once, cleaning
up the deck and caring for the wounded as well as the hospital
accommodations of the _Shohirika_ would permit.

"I never wish to see another fight like that," was Larry's comment, when
he had washed up and had his wounds dressed. "It was simply a
slaughter!"

"Right you are, lad," answered Luke. "An' I reckon I'm a-goin' to carry
the scars o' it down to my grave." The old Yankee gunner had received
several severe wounds, and he was glad enough to have Larry swing his
hammock for him and lie down to rest.

The battle over, the captain of the _Shohirika_ sailed away, to look for
the big brig once more and to report to the flagship of the fleet. But
the brig had taken time by the forelock and left for parts unknown.

"I suppose that is the last of Shamhaven and Peterson and my money,"
said Larry, when this news reached him. "I wish we had met that brig a
week ago."

"Oh, it's possible we may see her again," said Luke, cheerfully. "But it
gets me that she ran away, unless she had something to run for."

"She must have been carrying some contraband of war, Luke."

"It ain't unlikely, lad. Well, she's gone, an' it ain't no use to cry
over spilt milk. When you write to Captain Ponsberry you can tell him ye
saw them two rascals an' thet's all the good it did."

"Do you know what I'm thinking?"

"Well?"

"I'm thinking that brig was bound for Port Arthur, and she'll slip into
that port some dark and misty night."

"It's a risky piece o' business. Either our ships or the mines are
likely to blow her up."

"That is true. But the Russia