Part 16 (1/2)
”The steamer was always unlucky,” I replied. ”Her very name is a reproach, and the captain changed it to _Kows.h.i.+ng_.”
”Which was even a greater ill-luck. But I am on duty. We weigh at four o'clock this morning. I will tell the commander of you.”
He retired quickly. The time was pa.s.sing, and the hands were about to weigh anchor. Before I had finished dressing in the sailor's clothes, with which home-made (j.a.panese) attire we had all been supplied, a message came for me, and I was released politely from the surveillance to that time observed. At this point I may say that all the officers and men, and later the j.a.panese ash.o.r.e, treated us all most kindly.
But all the same I think that in war they would be most formidable antagonists, because they ”go” for their aim at once, risking all for country; even killing themselves if they do not succeed as they intend to do, and they spare neither themselves nor their opponents, not even to the farther verge of cruelty, if aroused.
But I did not know so much of the j.a.panese character then, and I admire it still. In all my dealings with them--and I have met many influential j.a.panese and others--I have found them polite and courteous, with a fine tendency to business, and to ”take the turn of the market” for themselves.
Soon after eight bells the wars.h.i.+p weighed anchor, and I was permitted to go on deck amids.h.i.+ps, or forward of the bridge, and while I was gazing alongside my mids.h.i.+pman friend accosted me.
”Your captain is aft,” he said. ”Perhaps you would like to see him.”
”Is he a prisoner?” I asked, as I gazed at a Chinese gunboat close by, which had been captured when conveying despatches. ”What's that vessel?”
”She's a Chinese boat, _Tsaokiang_,” replied my friend Tomi. ”We have caught her, and shall send her captain and crew with your officers in the transport. You can visit your captain if you wish.”
This was my desire, and accordingly I proceeded astern, under escort and by permission, to the cabin in which Captain Goldheugh was interned. He welcomed me gladly from his cot.
”Ah! my son, so ye've got free of the j.a.ps, have ye? Sure I'm still in limbo, though I must say the fellows are civil enough. We're steaming to the rendezvous, I'm told.”
”Yes, sir. I came to ask your permission to stay on board here.”
I rushed at my fence, you see, and yet in trepidation when I realised the obstacles.
”What!” exclaimed the captain. ”Remain on board the j.a.p's cruiser with the fellows who smashed us into smithereens, and made a 'holy show' of the _Feng Shui_? Bedad, a March hare isn't in the same run with ye.
He's mad this time, anyway,” concluded the captain. ”Stark and staring! Are those straws in your hair?”
”No,” I replied, smiling, yet nervously. ”The fact is the captain of this s.h.i.+p has offered me a berth, and”--
”By the powers o' Moll Kelly this beats the world!” cried the captain, relapsing into native idiom. ”The j.a.p captain offers ye a berth. Ah, go out o' that! He wants ye to take the cruiser into action, so he does! That's what he means. Well, well,” he sighed resignedly, ”look at that!”
He nodded his head up and down three times, as if perfectly, but unwillingly, resigned. I felt smaller by degrees.
”All right, _admiral_,” he said suddenly. ”By all manner o' means.
Won't I make them proud at home when I tell them that the young runaway is the admiral of the _Naniwa_--what's that mean? In Ireland 'Nanny'
is an old _nurse_--and she here is your wet-nurse, bedad! Oh, it's grand entirely, _your honour_!”
This affectation of manner puzzled me. The captain was ”putting on”
this, I perceived.
”If you object, sir,” I began.
”Is it me object! Not at all! Go and leave your s.h.i.+p--she's left ye--and your friends. What for?” he asked suddenly and almost fiercely. ”What d'ye want to do?”
”To serve in the j.a.panese navy,” I said, ”as a volunteer, and see some service for a while. The captain here has told his nephew, who asked me to tell you too.”