Silence. All is over. What has happened? Five, ten minutes pass, then the firing recommences, but now the object is changed; all the Japanese shrapnel is playing over the road leading to the Chair fort and all the Russian fire is directed against Namicoyama. The Russians are retreating, throwing their rifles as they run. Over Namicoyama floats the white flag with the red sun in the center. Two hours later a fat old man with a heavy beard and baggy trousers is brought in--a prisoner. An officer, originally in the commissary, he had been called into the line, business being dull in his department. He commanded six companies on Namicoyama. Wounded in the arm and sullen, he has no greeting for us. “The pigs,” he cried; “I stood at the end of the trench with my pistol ready to shoot every bolter, but it was no use. The beasts! Ah, my poor Russia.” He had a son in a Siberian regiment shot four days previously before his eyes. For a year he had had no word from his wife and two younger children in the Trans-Baikal, but he was well fed. Bearded, tanned, deep-eyed, he loomed with dignity and might above his captors. There was no consoling him. “The beasts,” he cried, “papa disowns them. Why didn’t I use the pistol?” There was plenty of flour and small-arm ammunition over there, he said. The troops were in good morale, but needed bucking up by the officers. What could be done for him? “Nothing,” he replied. “My boy is dead, my wife, my children, where are they? And Russia, ah, Russia, where is she!” To him Port Arthur had fallen. Chapter Seven A SON OF THE SOIL Headquarters Third Imperial Army, Before Port Arthur, Oct. 9th: Often we dine with the Army’s leaders. To-day all the temporary occupants of the headquarters village, which include the human impedimenta of an army, such as the expert on international law, the official photographer and the correspondents, were called to the General’s house. My invitation read: “Sir: I am desired by General Baron Nogi to write to you, and tell you, with his compliments, that he will be happy if you will favor him with your company at tiffin on Sunday, the 9th inst., at one o’clock. He wishes to become well acquainted with you by having chit-chats. I have the honor to be, sir, “Your Obedient Servant, “Y. YOSHIOKA, Major Aide-de-Camp: “By Order.”