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In the Yellow Sea
In the Yellow Sea
PREFACE
Perhaps a few words of explanation as regards this volume may be permitted. The following extract from a letter, from a relative who addresses me as "Uncle Harry," will suffice at first. His letter is dated "Shanghai, November 1897": —
"Here are all the papers, with manuscript. Some of the latter is translated by a friend, and some is newspaper work. But I daresay you will be able to work up the matter. Do it as you like best; but don't give me away, please. You will find some additional information in Vladmir's work, and in the Mail, etc. etc. But I am only sending you my experiences and adventures. Call them what you like.
"JULIUS."
Here then is the narrative, in which the writer does not spare himself. He certainly has had adventures by land and sea, between China and Japan – "'twixt Jack and Jap" – during the late war. I have used his papers and extracts in the compilation of the story; with gleanings from Heroic Japan and newspapers, which I have examined, with history, for my own benefit, and to verify my "nephew's" account of his adventures during that stirring time in the Far East.
HENRY FRITH
UPPER TOOTING, S.W.,
March 1898
CHAPTER I
A DISAPPOINTMENT – I ESCAPE MY FORETOLD
DESTINY – THE OSPREY – THE STORM
"There, that settles the matter," said my stepfather irritably. "The lad's no good for the navy!"
"Why not?" asked my mother, pausing in the act of pouring out the breakfast tea for me, – my parents preferred coffee.
"Because they say his sight is defective – that's all," replied my stepfather. "That's a pretty ending to his career!"
Mr. Bentham was a persistent grumbler. I had already remarked that trait in his disposition, and it annoyed me.
"I am quite sure his eyes are all right," said mother.
"Then perhaps you'll kindly tell the Admiralty so," said my stepfather ("Daddy," I called him). "There's the medical decision. He's been plucked on sight."
"And I am certain there's nothing the matter," said my mother. "I will take him to Mr. Jones, an old friend of his. You will find he is perfectly sound."
"My dear Emily, what is the use of discussing the matter? Julius is deficient. There's the letter, read it for yourself. It's a great nuisance. I suppose he'd better go to Granding and Smith's now. Granding will take him" —
"Granding and Smith's!" I exclaimed suddenly. "To the warehouse in St. Paul's? Oh, why? I can't go into a shop."
Hitherto I had been silent, but when this terrible fate was presented to me I spoke out. The very idea of a warehouse was abhorrent to me.