Again there was a little half-hearted murmur of applause. But Togo expressed his approval in no half-hearted manner. Dashing his fist upon the table he exclaimed: "By Hachiman Sama!" (the Japanese god of War), "you are right, Mr Swinburne. You told us, a little while ago, that you are only a boy, but you have the brains and wisdom of a man, sir. Your plan of attack is the right one--cannot you see that it is, gentlemen?--and it shall be followed. By attempting the other plan, we should in all probability lose every boat and every man, with no better result; while, by adopting Mr Swinburne's plan, we may save at least two-thirds of them. Now, gentlemen, before we terminate the council, has any one a better plan to propose?" And he glanced round the cabin, inquiringly. No one answered. Then Captain Matsumoto, commanding the battleship _Fuji_, rose. "As one whose knowledge of the august English language is perhaps superior to that of most present--your honourable self, sir, excepted," he said, addressing the Admiral, "I should like to say that I have listened to the remarks of the honourable commander of the _Kasanumi_ with profound interest. His doctrine, that it is more glorious to live than to die for one's Emperor, is a new one to us Japanese, and I confess that for the moment it shocked me, as I saw that it shocked most of us. But, if one comes to reflect, one sees that there is sound sense in it; therefore I should like to record my entire approval of the projected plan of attack upon the enemy's fleet. For, by adopting it, there is a good prospect that many lives and many craft, which would otherwise be uselessly sacrificed, may be preserved to render further valuable service to Japan and its Emperor." The applause this time was real and hearty enough, and several of the officers who were sitting near me offered me their hands and smilingly complimented me. "Very well, then, gentlemen, that matter is settled, and most satisfactorily, too, in my humble opinion. And, now, as to details. Divisions 1, 2, and 3 of the destroyer flotilla will attack the fleet at Port Arthur; Divisions 4 and 5 will proceed to Dalny in quest of the Russian destroyers said to reconnoitre in that direction nightly; and all will inflict as much damage as possible upon the enemy. Captain Matsunaga of the _Asashio_ will command Divisions 1, 2, and 3; while Captain Nagai will command Divisions 4 and 5. The flotilla will start at five o'clock this evening. You are dismissed, gentlemen. I thank you for your honourable attendance, and the assistance which you have rendered me." CHAPTER FIVE. MY "BAPTISM OF FIRE."