“There they are, sir--_all six_--just as on 10th August.” But Rozhdestvensky, without turning, shook his head. “No, there are more--they are all there,” and he went down into the conning tower. “To your stations, gentlemen,” said the Flag Captain quickly, as he followed the Admiral. And there, sure enough, following after the first six ships, and slowly appearing out of the mist, came the _Idzumo_, _Yakumo_, _Asama_, _Adzuma_, _Tokiwa_, and _Iwate_. CHAPTER III “Now the fun will begin,” thought I to myself, going up to the after-bridge, which seemed to be the most convenient place for carrying out my duty of seeing and noting down everything, as from there I could see both the enemy and our own fleet. Lieutenant Reydkin, commanding the after starboard 6-inch turret, was also there, having dashed up to see what was going on, as the fight was apparently to commence to port, and his turret would not be in action. We stood side by side, exchanging now and again abrupt remarks, not understanding why the Japanese intended crossing to our port side, when our weak spot--the transports and cruisers covering them--was astern, and to starboard of us. Perhaps, having commenced the fight while steering on the opposite course, and having taken advantage of their superior speed, they calculated on rounding us from the stern, in order to fall at the same time on our transports and weak rear! If so, a raking fire would present no difficulties. “Hullo! Look! What _are_ they up to?” said Reydkin, and his voice betrayed both delight and amazement. I looked and looked, and, not believing my eyes, could not put down my glasses. The Japanese ships had suddenly commenced to turn “in succession” to port, reversing their course! If the reader recollects what has been said previously on the subject of turns, he will easily understand that this manœuvre made it necessary for all the enemy’s ships to pass in succession over the point on which the leading ship had turned; this point was, so to speak, stationary on the water, making it easy for us to range and aim. Besides--even with a speed of 15 knots, the manœuvre must take about fifteen minutes to complete, and all this time the vessels, which had already turned, would mask the fire of those which were still coming up. “_How_ rash!” said Reydkin, who could not keep quiet. “Why, in a minute we’ll be able to roll up the leading ships!” “Please God, we may!” thought I.