Kobo: A Story of the Russo-Japanese War Read online

  Produced by Al Haines.

  Cover art]

  Koreans receiving Cavalry]

  Kobo

  A Story of the Russo-Japanese War

  BY

  HERBERT STRANG

  AUTHOR OF "TOM BURNABY"

  Illustrated by William Rainey, R.I.

  NEW YORK G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS 27 AND 29 WEST 230 ST. 1905

  TO LILLIPUT WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO BROBDINGNAG

  "Oh! it is easy to cross the Yalu river." --_Japanese War Song_.

  _My dear Ralph,_

  _Last year, I remember, you were a little reproachful because I sent"Tom Burnaby" to Jack at Harrow, and I made you a half promise thatpossibly at some future date you Taylorians should not be forgotten. Iam better than my word. Here is a book--too late for your birthday, butin time for Christmas--which I hope will meet with your good favour._

  _It is now nearly ten years since, on one of the bridges in Osaka, Iwatched a battalion of the Imperial Guards marching to the China war.The Chinese had been driven across the Yalu and hustled throughManchuria; the Guards were to assist in carrying the war, if necessary,to the walls of Pekin. There was something in the bearing of thoseshort, sturdy, alert little soldiers to arrest the attention and givefood for thought. They had all the purposeful air of our own Gurkhas,with a look of keener intelligence, and a joyous eagerness that thrilledthe observer._

  _In the China war the Japanese were for the first time measuring theirstrength. It was merely practice for the great struggle with theColossus of the North which all knew to be inevitable, however longdelayed. The humbling of China cost Japan little real effort, and we inthis country hardly realized all that was at stake when Europeandiplomacy robbed the victor of the fruits of victory. The part of GreatBritain at that period was regarded, perhaps justly, by the Japanese assomething less than that of the warm friend and well-wisher she wassupposed to be. Yet, in common with other English visitors to theircountry, I never met with aught but perfect courtesy and smilinghospitality. The politeness and self-restraint of the people, and theirextraordinary military promise, were among my strongest impressions ofJapan. How completely they have been justified the history of the pastten years and of the present struggle has shown._

  _Yours very sincerely,_ _HERBERT STRANG._

  _Michaelmas Day, 1904._

  *Contents*

  _Chapter_ I A Mere Chinaman

  _Chapter_ II Rokuro Kobo San

  _Chapter_ III A Samurai's Home

  _Chapter_ IV Six to One

  _Chapter_ V A Fleet in Action

  _Chapter_ VI Helping-to-Decide

  _Chapter_ VII The Battle of the Destroyers

  _Chapter_ VIII Cut Off

  _Chapter_ IX Chased by Cossacks

  _Chapter_ X The One-Eared Man

  _Chapter_ XI Tried and Sentenced

  _Chapter_ XII At Midnight

  _Chapter_ XIII Ah-Sam

  _Chapter_ XIV Mrs. Isidore G. Pottle

  _Chapter_ XV Fortifying the Gully

  _Chapter_ XVI Hemmed In

  _Chapter_ XVII A Night Reconnaissance

  _Chapter_ XVIII Rushing a Cossack Camp

  _Chapter_ XIX Sound and Fury

  _Chapter_ XX Herr Schwab Gomblains

  _Chapter_ XXI The Battle of the Yalu River

  _Chapter_ XXII A Dumb Chinaman

  _Chapter_ XXIII The Tiger's Lair

  _Chapter_ XXIV In the Enemy's Gates

  _Chapter_ XXV Nemesis

  _Chapter_ XXVI Old Friends and New Prospects

  *Glossary*

  *List of Illustrations*

  _Plate_ I Koreans Receiving Cavalry . . . . . . Frontispiece

  _Plate_ II Bob Rescues Yamaguchi

  _Plate_ III Bob Surprises his Jailer

  _Plate_ IV A Korean Knight-Errant

  _Plate_ V A Question of Seconds

  *Map and Plan*

  Map of Korea and part of Manchuria

  Plan of the Battle of the Yalu River