The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-06-22
TIE EVENING STORY
How He Got There.

10
oStoIe Fort Arthur when it was an
nouhced that Martin Bowles, an Amer
lcan Who had been granted an inter
view, was waiting without The gen
eral directed that the man be admitted
Martln Bowles was a light complex
iOhed man, with very little of the
american in him. Indeed, he had been
IN Europe ever since he was ten years
old, and all of the Yankee had been
cropped except the dare devil spirit
that ne had inherited from his father
VINO mad been one of Mosby'S men in
the American civil war. while his
mother had been born in Connecticut
Dung Rowles was cIoseted with Cen
eral Nogi for two hours, at the end
OF which time he emerged from the
tent and went his way.
The Russians in one of the princi-
pal forts defending Port Arthur, were
expecting a night attack. Their
searchIlghts were moving nervously
over the slopes beneath. star rockets
were bursting in the air, casting
brief and faint illuminations into de-
pressions directly beneath them, while
parachute torches served the same
purpose of throwing light directly
downward.
On a side hill opposite the Russian
forts crouched a man. The light cast
by the star rockets and parachutes
was too faint to reveal him. but he
would be readily seen if a Searchlight
were pointed directly at him. He
watched their motions till he saw one
coming in his direction. 1t was NOV
ing slowly, as if the searchers were
examining every detail. Presently it
reached his position and stopped.
There is something trying in having
one of these silent sheaves of light
pointed at you. You know some one
hidden in darkness is looking at you.
Every stone, every blade of grass about
you, glistening, tells how plainly you
are seen, and you expect either to hear
the spiteful ping of a sharp shooters
bullet or feel it pierce your vitals.
But the man on the hillside had no
such fear. Indeed, he was pleased
when the light was turned upon him
and stopped. He wore a tattered Rus
sian uniform, and as soon as he was
satisfied that he was observed he wav-
ed his hand. Then Immediately the
searchlight was turned away.
The man got up and walked rapidly
down the hill. Midway between the po-
sition he had occupied and the fort he
met a company of Russian soldiers. The
commander of the fort had sent them
to enable one of their comrades to en-
ter his own lines. Perhaps he might
have valuable information He was Ia
ken to the general. who questioned him
eagerly.
He said that he was Ivan Vestlovsky
and had belonged to the garrison of q.
fort near by on the right which had
been stormed and taken the day pc
fore at dusk. He had escaped in the
gathering darkness and hidden in a
deserted rife pit on the hillside. There
he had observed the dispositions Of the
Japanese, who were forming for an
attack.
asked the general, ION our right or
"From my position" replied Ivan,
''under the light of your rockets and
parachutes, I could see them massing
on your left. There is a small force
on your right, but they seemed to
me to be nearly ready to move"
IT see,'' said the general. THAT willy
fox Nogi is going to feint on our right
and storm our left" Then he gave or
ders to move the most effective guns
to the left.
on the Russian right was the hill on
which Ivan Vestlovsky had been dis
covered. 1t was just high enough 70
prevent the Russians from seeing over
its crest. On their left was compare
lively long stretch Of open ground
swept by their artillery, beyond which
the ground was again uneven. AT
o clock in the morning suddenly
parachute revealed torce OF Japanese
marching in a depression in the ground
far to the right where the view was
not obstructed by the hill At the
time a considerable force was OBJ
served further away on the left. rms
seemed to confirm VANS story. But
the force on the right grew larger and
when within range an overwhelming
force OF Japanese hurried over the
crest of the hill and before the guns
could be turned, swept on to the moaf,
planted scaling ladders and In
twinkling the fort had been captured,
81 wish to see General Nogi, said
one of the Russian prisoners IN ralrly
good japanese.
The officer in charge looked at the
man as if he suspected his sanity. but
was still more surprised when the gen
eral hurrying up with his stan was
hailed by the prisoner, and turning came
I'D to him and embraced him.
I'VE owe you everything" he said.
Then he told the officer that he would
take the prisoner away with him.
The two went to that side of the fort
which had not been fought over and
when the general saw the guns al there
he embraced the prisoner again.
Mr.. .Bowles," he said Il saw through
nv glass the Russians moving these
eins and knew that your ruse had been
successful You have enabled us at the
risk of your life to capture easily 4
strong fort in our way. Now, how can
I reward you?'
general replied Mr.. Bowles, Il am
horn American, and a Yankee never
Soes something for nothing. I repre-
sent an American newspaper and
want Dermission to send dispatches.
ssKeep= near to my headquarters. salo
the general with a grim smile, ana IL
favor you whenever can 90 u "leiiOU'
risking my plans. -. W.,
kee. ARTHUR u. bbf1 =" ~ ~
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