The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1908-05-01
CHAPTER vi.
The FLIGHT Of Seiqo.

Seigo understood at last that the
sleeping eagle was preparing to de-
scend from its aerie with m~ercilessly
he counted every moment Of value,
and through his mind went but one
thought: How to get news to Japan
in time to avert disaster. What he
had witnessed was so convincing that
he was amazed at the devilish in
the whole world to believe them de-
fenseless when they were in reality
only Turing other nations on to their
doom. He was filed with resentment.
and 1t made a noticeable difference.
When he believed the United States
powerless to defend itself, 1t had been
only fit and proper that Japan should
harry her, conquer II possible, and
gain concessions Of territory and
money indemnity; but with the knowl.
edge that the country was not only in
a position to care for itself, but also
to conquer an enemy, he viewed things
in an entirely different light.
Worst of all, he realized that he
was nor largely responsible for the
outburst Of war than any other man,
and aside from the ignominy which
must be imposed upon his people was
the appreciation of what might hap
pen to his own precious head when
resentment CHANGED to act against
him. Yesterday he had been smiling,
~supercilious and confident. Tonight
as he ran, he was terrified, ashamed
and despairing.
Information had come to him that
the blockade was complete, and in nc
instance was he certain that any of
his reports had passed through the
lines. He rapidly reviewed the
chances, and decided that he must get
word to every man at his command to
strive to pass q warning through to
Canadian territory where 1t might be
cabled to Japan. He counted, with
japanese reasoning, on his ability to
bribe some nj along the border. for.
getting that when American patrio,
tism 10 ut full tide money has little
weight. He had large funds at com.
mand, and in a crisis like this was
ready to pour them out lavishly.
His return to the capital vas rapid,
a. he strained his physical powers to
their utmost, and he was almost ex-
hausted when he reached the section
where his Chinese ally dwelt. With
dragging steps he was turning down .
street, when q sharp whispered call.
ing of his name from the depths Of a
hallway arrested him. Stepping in
side, he recognized his friend. The
instant he was under the cover of
darkness he a grasped by the arm
and hurried through a doorway and
up a flight of stairs. He would have
demonstrated at this strange proceed
ing had not his conductor mumbled:
Come fast and ask nothing! It's
your only chance to a v your life!"
Through a long corridor where there
we're no lights, out to q back porch
which overhung skeleton-like from the
building in which the residents we're
evidently all asleep, down another
flight of rickety stairs, and into a
vacant space, presumably a back yard.
he followed. Not until they reached
this secluded place did he have a
chance to ask an explanation, and
then, before he could formulate a
question, It was volunteered.
"The American secret service men
have been after you. They are
watching the house inside and out.
They've seized your papers and every.
thing else in the place. l escaned