[Pg 43]

The discussion grew hotter and hotter, but Russia would not budge in the least from the stand first taken, and during the delay did all in her power to put her army and navy on a war footing. Perhaps the Russian authorities thought to catch the sons of Nippon napping; if so, they were sadly mistaken, as events soon after proved.

Negotiations were broken off on February 7, 1904. The Japanese minister left St. Petersburg, being called home by the Japanese Cabinet sitting at Tokio. The war was on.

The news was flashed around the world, and reached Port Arthur the next day after Gilbert had made his arrangements with the German hotel keeper. The city was in a greater excitement than ever, and on every corner large crowds collected, to talk over the situation.

If the Russians had been hard on the Japanese in the city before they were doubly so now, and some of the poorer Japanese hardly knew what to do. They were hounded from one spot to another, and, in some instances, made to leave behind them all they possessed.

[Pg 44]

[Pg 44]

“This is what I call mean,” said Gilbert to the hotel keeper. “The least the Russians could do would be to let them take their things and depart in peace.”

“Say noddings,” whispered the German, putting his finger beside his nose. “Say noddings, or you vos git into droubles ofer your head alreatty!” And after that Gilbert was more particular as to what he said in public. But his kindness to the Japanese had already been observed, and he was pointed out as one who had no sympathy with the Russian cause.

“If this thing keeps on, the best I can do is to get out of Port Arthur,” the young American told himself. And then he thought again of the Columbia, and wondered how those on board were faring.

Gilbert had gone to bed about ten o’clock and was sleeping soundly, when of a sudden he awoke and sat bolt upright.

“What’s the matter?” he demanded, half aloud, thinking somebody had given him a shaking.

Scarcely had the words left his lips than he heard a distant explosion. Then he realized that it had been a similar sound which had aroused him.

“Something is wrong, that is certain,” he mused. “That sounded like a 

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