THE SACK OF KINCHOW--RELEASED--"CASTLED"--A CHECK
When my scattered senses returned, I could not quite understand my
position. Had I been wounded? Yes, I remembered something striking me
on the head. Whatever it was it had grazed my temples, and my hand
sought the wound involuntarily. My fingers came away tinged with
blood, my head felt very uncomfortable and dizzy, but after a while I
sat up and began to wonder what was the matter.
The Chinese soldiers--all those left alive, I mean--had disappeared.
Dead or wounded men lay around me, but few of the latter moved, and I
began to suspect that the victors had killed most of them. My own
escape from death seemed marvellous, for I lay almost helpless. The
shouts, shots, and shrieks below in the town told me of the fearful
scenes, the pursuit of the vanquished, the death of the fugitives. I
attempted to rise to my feet, and had just supported myself by the
parapet, when a Japanese picket approached. The men were almost
savage, their weapons were bloodstained, their dress disordered and
dusty, and splashed with blood; they were shouting, and indulging in
what seemed to me fiendish merriment; they were drunken with excitement
and the spirit of slaughter; they bayoneted the few living Chinese
within reach, and then levelled their rifles at me, laughing still.
Holding up my hands, I called out the few words I had heard on board
the _Naniwa_, "Long live Japan!" and added in English, "I am no enemy.
Look! I am a friend."
Whether the appeal touched their hearts or they recognised the English
tongue, they certainly perceived that I was not a native Chinese or
Manchu. They examined my appearance closely, saw my stained and
painted face, through which spots of white British skin appeared, and
my blackened features, which could not belong to any Celestial being,
and they looked surprised. One fellow, in sheer brutality, as he
intended, seized my pigtail and wrenched me round to torture me, when,
behold, it came away in his hand!
A shout of laughter succeeded at the expense of the brutal soldier,
whose face was a study for a caricaturist, and his profound surprise
saved my life. At this juncture I recalled the badge and permit which
the captain and officers had given me. In a moment I had grasped them,
and even as the angry soldiers advanced with sanguinary threats to
bayonet me, the priceless permit, and, even more than it, the badge of
the naval officer, arrested my would-be murderers.
I was saved! The levelled rifles were shouldered, and when the men had
talked together, they intimated to me that I must accompany them--to
their officer, I presumed. Securely guarded, I proceeded, taking care
not to exhibit any of my disgust at the many terrible scenes I noticed,
until we met an officer who was wearing white gloves, and appeared
almost a dandy in the midst of slaughter and destruction.
My "pass" and badge were shown to him, and finding I could not
understand his language, nor even "Corean-Chinese," he bade me
accompany him to the general's quarters. I paced the streets, closely
followed by my original captors, the observed of all those by whom we
passed, maddened soldiers triumphant, Chinese civilians despairing, and
dead heaps of fugitives, who received no quarter. It is true, as a
Japanese told me, "We do not kill our prisoners, as the Chinese do."
No, they do _not_ kill prisoners in cold blood--but they leave as few
as possible to survive the battle.
We passed through the narrow streets, now thronged with Japanese, past
the shops with their suspended lanterns and long scrolled signs, but
had not reached the officer's destination, when a Japanese saluted,
and, glancing at me, said a few words to my leader. I gazed at the man
in surprise, and some diluted pleasure, because I recognised him as my
former associate Hoko, the scout with whom I had been travelling, and
by whom I had been robbed.
Our eyes met in mutual recognition. He made signs to me, and uttered a
few sentences in French, asking whether I had presented my permit, and
how I came to Kinchow. He informed the officer; and the man being an
accredited interpreter and trustworthy, the officer dismissed my unruly
escort, and bade the interpreter take care of me pending his own
arrival at headquarters.
We exchanged few remarks during our passage to the general. I was
stiff and sore, aching in head and limbs, weary and dishevelled.
Besides I had a grudge against the interpreter, and anxious for
release. He seemed quite careless of my feelings. In this manner I
accompanied my preserver to headquarters, where as an interpreter he
was welcome, and in a few minutes I was introduced into the presence of
the general. My conductor briefly explained matters, mentioning the
fact of my having been rescued from the _Naniwa_, and the manner in
which I had been received by the officer as an English gentleman and a
seaman. A Japanese officer, who spoke English fluently, was able to
confirm this statement by my interpreted account, and thenceforward all
was plain sailing.
"What did the general wish me to do?" I asked the officer in English.
"He will send you to Port Arthur when we go there, and when we take the
place he will no doubt permit you to find your way to an English ship."
"Then I am again a prisoner?"
"Not at all, you can proceed whither you please. There is not the
least objection to your getting shot, if you prefer that end."
"I understand; you think the Chinese will oppose your forward movement?"
"Certainly they will. The fleet is at Talien Bay, though, and we have
the enemy in a sack. They may resist, but they must be beaten; there
is no cohesion. We are united, firm, and drilled. The Chinese cannot
stand against us."
I acquiesced, but continuing, I said--
"Suppose any Power comes to the assistance of the Chinese?"
"Then we shall still fight," he replied.
"Even Russia or Germany?" I asked quickly.
"Ah, that is a different matter! Russia is dangerous--she wants so
much. But, unless she is _too_ intrusive, we shall not oppose her. We
do not _fear_ her even, though she intends to rule the East some day.
She shall never rule Japan. Come with me, I have the pleasure to
convoy you."
"You think the Chinese will not resist you?" I continued as we
proceeded to his quarters--or rather, to the house where he had
temporarily taken up his lodgings by right of sword.
"No, I do not say they will not resist; I say they will not win. We
have had a very simple and easy task hitherto."
"Port Arthur is almost impregnable, I hear." He smiled,--the Japanese
frequently smile.
"Ah, the Chinamen will not stay. Our preparations are already being
made. In less than a week we shall secure Port Arthur. You shake your
head? You will see."
When we reached the house which the officer had made his own, by
conquest, temporarily, he gave orders to a soldier, who I supposed was
a tailor, for he came and took my measure with his eye, and walking
round me made his notes in his mind. When he had departed, my kind
military friend caused me to rest, sent me food, and had my clothes
removed and sent me a supply of fresh water, in which I revelled. My
shaven hair caused him some amusement, but he supplied me with a cap
which the useful tailor had procured, and when I awoke from my sleep
next morning I found a new semi-European suit awaiting me, with some
underclothing.
My thanks, and some suggestions respecting remuneration to the tailor,
were laughed aside, and the officer then informed me that he knew my
acquaintance the sailor Tomi well, and the interpreter had informed him
of my first meeting with him, as had been related on board the
_Naniwa_. On further inquiry, I ascertained that my military host was
Tomi's brother, and this quite accounted for the manner in which he had
received me. The brother had been in London, and had met much kindness
there, so they had in my case repaid it in full towards me.
This officer, whose kindness I shall ever remember, sent me a note to
say that the army was advancing, and the interpreter would accompany me
towards Port Arthur. I was pleased to hear this, and anxious to
interview the man again, but he did not appear till evening on the 7th,
when he brought the news that the army from Kinchow had taken the forts
above Talien, and the Japanese fleet had arrived in the bay.
This seemed to me incredible, but I ascertained subsequently that the
Chinese garrison had retired, and the fleet had fired at empty forts
until the troops displayed their flags upon the deserted ramparts.
"Is the _Naniwa_ in the bay?" I asked.
"Yes, she and the other vessels are there now.
"Can you send me away from there?" I said. "Can Lieutenant Tomi" (I
called him lieutenant) "find a passage for me to Chefoo?"
"Will ascertain," was his reply. But he came no more that evening.
Meantime I made my plans for escape. I had had enough of war and
battles in strange countries amid strangers. With my own countrymen a
campaign would have been comparatively pleasant, but under my present
circumstances the adventure was not very enjoyable, and though I had
been singularly fortunate in my cruise, I considered prudence the
better part of valour, and a timely retreat was advisable, so I
determined to elope at the first opportunity.
Provided with clothes, and possessing cash; furnished with a permit
like a special correspondent, I made my way about the cantonments and
bivouacs of the Japanese army, and heard a great deal respecting their
exploits, yet in no boasting manner. Certainly the officers and men
were elated, but that was but natural under the circumstances. It is
true they were very much incensed at the Chinese, and swore fearful
vengeance upon them when they again attacked; but that was not
surprising when one saw the Chinese proclamations for so much for the
head of a Jap--as if for a savage wolf in Old England--and an increased
reward for the body of a prisoner.
Mind, these placards were displayed upon the walls, printed in
character, in yellow, and signed by the chief of the district in the
name of the Emperor of China. Japanese soldiers were decapitated, and
hacked when dead. Even the trees were bearing ghastly fruits of savage
warfare at times. So one can hardly wonder if the Japanese retaliated
upon their foes, however much we may regret their subsequent vengeance.
When one sees prisoners hanging by the feet to the branches of a tree,
and fearfully and horribly mutilated besides by the Chinese; and, when
dead, pelted by lads "for fun" as the bodies swing in the wind, one
hesitates to dub the Chinaman a decent _savage_! But this is Chinese
warfare, and must end in clearing away the nation from the earth which
advocates and practises such barbarities.
The army was under the command of Marshal Oyama. The general who had
released me was General Yamaji, a rather sleepy-looking man, wearing a
moustache and long _goatee_ upon a rather fat face; his hair was thick
and long, and his ears appeared to me very long and big. He wore
medals and stars, one in the centre of his chest; he had a profusion of
lace in curling cords, so to speak, upon his sleeves, epaulets and
shoulder-knots. The marshal, when I saw him, was decked with
stars--quite a galaxy. He had rather a humorous face, and it was quite
devoid of hair. Some of the other officers appeared as well set up and
"groomed" as British officers, their short hair, shaven cheeks, and
trim moustaches, all aiding the resemblance, with bright keen
expression and smartness of manner.
While making these observations, which I have recorded as they occurred
to me, I lost no opportunity to escape to the sea, but though I was
permitted to wander about, and even assisted in my searches, I found no
opening for retreat. There were correspondents of European, and even
Japanese, newspapers and illustrated periodicals, but though they were
most polite and sympathetic, none of them assisted me in the way I
desired. Whether they credited my narrative or not one cannot say, but
they--perhaps wisely--did not seem actually anxious to get me away by
stratagem. On the other hand, they were not unkind.
On that memorable 7th November the guns of the Japanese warships were
heard outside, and speculation was rife. The troops had already
advanced to Talien Bay, where forts protect the peninsula of the
"Regent's Sword," as the narrow isthmus is called. If the invaders
captured these forts, the road to Port Arthur would be open, and
Shing-Ching would be at the mercy of the Japanese. They did not
hesitate to advance against these strongholds. Three detachments
marched bravely on, supported by artillery and cavalry, and I followed
as a spectator, well in the rear, but not out of range.
The troops advanced full of determination, and were received with an
equally decided fire--for a short time. The assailants took no notice
of these rounds, but, dropping a few of their number, rushed on; I,
surprised at myself, followed, keeping under shelter as much as
possible from fragments of soaring shells, which were few and far
between. The troops reached the forts, and with a volley mounted to
the walls, protected by their artillery. Then came a pause, then a
distant cheer, renewed again and again. The Japanese flag was waving
over the forts, and the Chinese, pursued by bullets and shell-fire,
were running away as fast as their feet could carry them. The
fugitives had quitted their guns--in many cases undischarged--and were
"cutting away" to Port Arthur, their flying forms looking as unlike
soldiers as possible to European eyes, their heads being bound up as
with silk handkerchiefs--perhaps to keep the pigtail out of harm's way,
for I noticed this head-dress was almost general with Chinese.
The Talien forts were thus captured, to my extreme surprise. I climbed
up the hill and reached one of them afterwards; and while seeking a way
to the seaside, considerating which path I had best pursue to escape to
the outlying fleet in the bay, a friendly hand was placed upon my
shoulder firmly, and held me. I turned suddenly, startled by the
sudden arrest. Five Japanese soldiers had come upon me, bringing two
unfortunate Chinese prisoners. They bound me in silence, and led me
away, making no reply even by gesture to my complaints.