. Under the care of the Japanese war office . he spoke English, we spent a most inter-esting hour listening to many incidents relat-ing to the battle of the Yalu, he having takenpart in it. He praised the bravery of theRussian officers, but could not understandwhy they did not kill themselves on findingthere was no possible means of escape. Therank and file, however, seemed only too gladto be taken when the leaders were woundedor kiUed. It was difficult to believe thatscarcely a month ago Russians had fled acrossthis very ground where now we sat quietlytalking. Madame Kuroda told us a
. Under the care of the Japanese war office . he spoke English, we spent a most inter-esting hour listening to many incidents relat-ing to the battle of the Yalu, he having takenpart in it. He praised the bravery of theRussian officers, but could not understandwhy they did not kill themselves on findingthere was no possible means of escape. Therank and file, however, seemed only too gladto be taken when the leaders were woundedor kiUed. It was difficult to believe thatscarcely a month ago Russians had fled acrossthis very ground where now we sat quietlytalking. Madame Kuroda told us afterwardsa curious story relating to this lieutenantwhich aptly illustrates the spirit throughoutthe army. He was commanded to find, beforestarting for the front, a large number of horses ;this in Japan is a difficult matter. On comingto bid good-bye to Madame Kuroda (whomhe looked upon in the light of a mother), hesaid, It is very possible I may never seeyou again, for if I cannot find the numberof horses I am commanded, I shall not < o a z UJ m ouiQ z Oi z< a: TRE JAPANESE WAR OFFICE. 143 It is a far greater risk for me than going tothe front, for in battle, even in the midst ofbullets, there is a chance ; but if I fail inthis responsible mission I must kill myself,for I shall not have fulfilled my duty. Oh !pure conscience and upright, how doth a littleerror wound thee sore! Can there beanother people with such an exalted senseof responsibility, who, having apparentlyfailed in the fulfilment of their sovereignsbidding, would mete out to themselves suchpunishment ? About a mile before we reached the citya galloper was sent out to report our approach,and as we crossed a tributary of the Ai-howe saw on the bank several officers waitingto welcome us. Those who were sent in-cluded a representative of General Kuroki,two army medical officers, and several excitement was great in at last attainingour goal, and was added to by this unlooked-for reception on
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