"THE BATTLE RAGES LOUD AND LONG."
I do not really know how far the old-fashioned, out of-date paddler
_Osprey_ could have gone in for protecting British interests. In an
engagement, even with a cowardly Chinaman, she would very soon have
been paddle-less, and a good shell would have blown her two decks
into one.
I grant all this, but the bonnie white flag with its red jack in the
corner, that floats astern even on an unarmed man-o'-war officer's
boat, is one to be respected, and one that has made many a tyrant
tremble and pause thoughtfully, with, figuratively speaking, his hand
at his pistol-pocket.
That flag is respected wherever it waves, in battle or in breeze.
For behind it, though unseen, lies all the might and power of
Britain. Moral suasion is often of more use than Gatling guns, and
so here is the _Osprey_, while around her, many times and oft,
"The battle rages loud and long,
And the stormy winds do blow".
One morning early, while lying off a Chinese river, it was necessary
to send letters to some British families--traders who, with their
wives and children, desired to be taken to a place of safety, the
Chinese having threatened their lives.
The messages sent were to assure them of protection. They were told
to hold themselves in readiness, and that as soon as the weather
moderated they would be taken off.
Creggan was sent with this boat--the pinnace,--the Ugly Duckling
also, and Goodwin went as interpreter. A good show of marines was
also to the fore, and these were to be left with our poor countrymen
by the river's brink.
Though the breakers ran mountains high on the bar, there was a gap,
and after a long pull and a strong pull Creggan and his merry men got
inside. They then hugged the bank, and were at their destination by
seven bells in the forenoon watch.
They had come in time, for the Foo-kies, as our blue-jackets used to
call the Chinamen, were in swarms, and threatening to fire the houses
of the "foreign devils".
I may state here that they afterwards did so, and that our countrymen
had to fight for their lives in a laager, till rescued some days
afterwards.
Having dispersed the cowardly mob at the bayonet point, and received
assurance from the head-man that nothing should happen to the
Europeans, Creggan made all haste to join his ship.
They rushed the boat down-stream therefore, and were soon at the gap.
Here great caution was necessary, for a boiling sea was being driven
in on a high wind to fight with the quick-rolling river.
Alas! they had not gone far, ere a heavy sea struck the port bow and
dashed the boat round, broad-side on, to the waves. At the same time
three men were washed away and speedily sank.
The breakers rushed over them now, and almost filled the pinnace. To
make matters worse, night had all but fallen, despite the haste
Creggan had made. Through the mist of that turmoil of breaking water
they could just descry the lights of the _Osprey_, and as Creggan had
got the boat's head round again, hope once more began to rise in his
heart.
Alas for hope in this case! She was speedily struck by a huge wave,
and this time turned keel uppermost.
The officers and one man managed to cling to the upset boat, but so
terrible was the war 'twixt river and sea on this dread bar, that the
boat was sometimes keel uppermost, and sometimes right side up but
swamped.
How they struggled for life no one can ever understand who has not
been in the same fearful situation.
The sailor suddenly let go hold, and with a wild shriek threw up his
arms and disappeared.
Creggan gave all up for lost. All his young life and loves arose
before his mind's eye now, and he prayed, as perhaps he had never
prayed before, that God in his mercy might spare them. He soon found
that he could hold on no longer, but at that moment a light flashed
across his eyes, and a cheery hail resounded loud over the roar of
the breakers.
He knew no more until he opened his eyes and gazed bewilderingly
around.
A surgeon--Japanese--was bending over him, bathing tenderly a wound
in his temple.
"This is not the _Osprey_?" Creggan managed to mutter.
"No; your ship had dragged her anchor, and when nearly on the rocks
got up steam in time and saved herself by putting out to sea."
All this in perfect English.
"Pray, rest quiet," he continued; "you will be safe and sound
to-morrow. This is our flag-ship, the _Matsushima_."
"One word, sir; are any saved but me?"
"Yes, sir; one officer--young, not handsome--and one brave brown man.
He would not permit himself to be saved until you and your friend
were hauled on board our boat."
How glad was Creggan next morning to meet Goodwin and the Duck. All
were fresh, though the memory of the terrible accident lay heavy at
their hearts.
* * * * * * * * * * *
The Japanese officers were more than civil, they were the
quintessence of hospitality. They would do all they could for our
_Osprey_ heroes, but meanwhile they were guarding a fleet of thirty
transports, under the command of Marshal Yamagata, who was proceeding
to Corea to land 10,000 men, 4500 coolies, and nearly 4000 horses.
The Chinese fleet was somewhere else similarly engaged, and the bold
Japs were hoping to meet them.
"Ah!" said the surgeon laughing, as he addressed Creggan, "depend
upon it, we shall give them battle and blazes both. You shall see
how our bold iron-clad navy can fight."
Both Creggan and his companions were delighted.
"If an engagement does take place," said the former, "I greatly fear
that we will not be able to resist the temptation to work a gun or
two."
"I was thinking," said the Jap doctor, "that as you belong to a
neutral nation, I should requisition your services to assist me with
the wounded down below."
"Too tame, doctor, too tame; I'm a Scot, sir."
"Oh!" cried the Jap doctor, "I have read your splendid history, and
of all your terrible struggles against the Saxons of the south, five
times your number. I loved your Bruce, your Wallace, ay, and even
your bold Rob Roy."
"If I may speak a word," said Goodwin, "I am equally unwilling to do
cockpit duty."
"Well, well, well!" cried the bright, busy little doctor. "I shall
address our admiral, and you all shall fight!"
Not as long as he lives will Creggan forget that memorable morning of
September 17th, 1894. Both he and his true-hearted friends were up
betimes. Time enough at all events to witness the rich and beautiful
sunrise. The fleet, in fine order, was off Hai-Yang, in the estuary
of the Yalu river, and were now under steam for Tahi Island, when
there came a hail from aloft which, though couched in Japanese, even
Creggan could understand.
"The Chinese fleet in sight!"
This was at 11.30.
How that shout made the pulses of every man and officer in the
flag-ship, and in every other ship, thrill with joy--
"That stern joy which warriors feel
In foemen worthy of their steel!"
Bustle and excitement followed. Yet not to any very great extent,
for in war-time the Japs are like the Britons, "Ready, aye ready".
Now, as far as my knowledge of the battle goes, I think that the
fleets were well matched, although the Chinese fleet numbered two
ships more (twelve against ten). The Japs had it somewhat in tonnage
if not in guns.
But, boys mine, do not let anyone persuade you that because the
dashing days of old have passed away, with its ship-to-ship fights
and boarding cutlass in hand, men of heart and pluck count for
nothing.
Indeed, indeed they do. Give me an admiral as courageous as a lion,
smart and clever, and possessed of an eye like a Scottish eagle, with
bold captains under him ready to obey every signal, and blue-jackets
of the British type on every ship, then I should not care if, in
action, the enemy's vessels outnumbered ours. We should capture,
sink, or burn them,
"For England, home, and beauty".
The Chinese were well supplied with torpedo boats, and could handle
them too, but in manoeuvring they did not show half the skill
exhibited by the now cool-headed and calculating Japs.
The battle was almost like a game of whist, owing to the Japanese
admiral's far-sightedness. There were also gallant fellows enough to
work the signals.
The Jap fleet was divided into a flying and a main squadron. Admiral
Ito had one disadvantage to contend against from the first, and I
trust we British will not forget the lesson. The ships in his two
squadrons were not of the same speed, so that the swift fliers had to
wait for the slow.
It would be impossible, without diagrams, to give a correct notion of
the evolutions. However, I can refer boys interested in this noble
naval battle to books on the China-Japanese war.
It was one o'clock before the two fleets approached on deadly warfare
bent. The Chinese in a single line, its strongest ships in the
centre, which Ting the Chinese admiral thought would have to bear the
brunt of Ito's awful onset.
The flying squadron led the Japanese van, but soon separated and
skirted the enemy's right in fine form.
The main squadron also deviated, the bold _Yoshino_ leading and
bearing the brunt of a terrible fire from the foe. But they
outflanked the Chinese thus early, and the Chinese weaker ships,
which had been placed at each end, were skilfully riddled, and the
_Yang-Wei_ was soon in flames.
Ito had meant to sweep right round the left flank of the enemy, and
the flying squadron had already ported to do so. But seeing two new
Chinamen and six torpedo boats coming up to join, the flying squadron
attacked these and they fled.
And now the main squadron swept past the Chinese right, and soon had
another of their ships on fire.
It will be seen how pitiable it is to have ships in action of unequal
speed, when I tell you that the Japanese _Hiyei_ had to lag behind.
She was 2200 tons, but, exposed to the Chinese line, would soon have
been sunk, had not her brave commander instead of passing along this
fearful line of fire boldly dashed through the enemy's centre.
Fortune favours the brave, and this vessel escaped even the
torpedoes; but alas! when she rejoined her squadron she was in
flames. She signalled to that effect, and a brave little ship, but
slow, steamed to her assistance. Oh, the pluck of this bold wee
_Akaji_! Mind, she was little over five hundred tons.[1] She was
chased by a Chinaman double her size, her commander was killed, her
steam-pipe destroyed, still she fought like a fiend, and when her
main-mast was carried away she hoisted her flag upon the stump. But
at last this brave wee Jap set her foe on fire, and the duel ended.
The _Akaji_ and _Hiyei_, however, were still in great danger, and
other Chinamen took up the pursuit.
[1] The _Akaji_ has not been reckoned in line of battle, nor the
_Saikio Maru_.
Admiral Ito ordered the flying squadron to their assistance, and some
terribly hot work ensued at 2.30 P.M. For the Jap called the _Saikio
Maru_, was catching it very hot between two fires, while a torpedo
boat crossing her bows launched at her two torpedoes, both missing
their mark. Down crashed the flying squadron and turned the odds, so
the three weaklings of the Jap fleet escaped and got out of battle
and reach.
Then the two squadrons swept round the Chinamen in opposite
directions. The two Japanese fleets have now closed upon the foe on
both sides, and
"The battle rages loud and long".
It was then that the two flag-ships _Matsushima_ and the Chinese
_Ting-Yuen_ faced each other, and fought the most fearful naval duel
of modern times.