Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-06-12
A japanese Spy
BY FRANK MARTlNDALE
Copyright. 1910 by american Press
Association.

shotgun the mikadO's troops were be-
sieging a fortress which both sides
wanted. =.
But there Is one matter OF impor-
lance concerning it that Is pertinent to
this story. The mikado's army was
very small, and n force of the shoguns
was coming up to the relief Of the be-
sieged. This force was expected with
In a week. The success of the mikado
depended upon how long his enemy's
supplies would hold out. III there
were enough for but few days the
besiegers might remain and reap the
benefit OF their labors. II the provi-
sions should last longer than that they
would better be off before the relief
force came up or they might be over
whelmed by Il superior army.
To know what supplies the defend
ers Of the fortress had would be of In
estimable value to the besieged. IL
meant possible possession Of the
point of attack. and It meant preven-
ton of a possible humiliation of the
emperor's army and the probable loss
Of his cause.
The devotion of the japanese people
under such circumstances Is a wou-
der. 1t is that devotion which enabled
them 10 force a peace upon the Rus
sian bear that had threatened to
walk all over" their little island and
take possession of 1t. 1t is that devc-
.to,, xba. hos onaI,toI than, to prOtQct
themselves while cultiyating the COM
mercial methods of western ciyiliza-
ton.
There came a noble to the mikado
and said to him:
90 mighty emperor, 1t Is on ac-
count of your majesty's virtue that l
feel an impulse spring UP within me.
My ancestors are looking down upon
me and smile pleasantly upon me as
I yield to the inspiration. / Will dis
guise myself and obtain admittance to
the fortress. There will observe for
how many days your enemies are sup
piled, and will return and advise you
of the fact"
IL am well pleased" replied the en-
peror. that my virtues have produced
In you such worthy motive. You
have my permission TO so into the
fortress and observe the supply OF
food our enemies have and return TO
me and tell me. | will request the
shades of my own ancestors TO watch
over you. but IL you die In your at
tempt you will have the satisfaction OF
knowing that both mine and your an
cestors will welcome you In spirit
land"
So the noble Frustrated himself be-
fore his majesty and turned and went
away. That same day man dressed
as a shepherd found access TO the
fortress and went among the grana-
ries and found them nearly empty.
There was food enough to last but
two days The shepherd. satisfied with
the information he had gained. was
about to leave the fortress when one
who had known him before the war
came on recognized him. The spy was
seized and hurried before the Shotgun.
This man." said his captor. lis no
BILE who supports the mikado for the
position to which your majesty Is en-
titled. He has been among us In this
raiment of a shepherd and knows just
how many days supply we have on
hand. What shall we do with himF
Cruelty him." said the shotgun.
With that they were leading the spy
away to cruelty him when the sho-
gun called to them 70 bring him back.
III you will go to the wall" he said
to the spy. land tell your people that
we have supplies to last several weeks
will spare your life"
THAT l will do" said the other.
"Afy ancestors call To me 10 stand firm
and they will receive me at my death
joyfully, but I have a wife and chill
dren In the mikado's camp. and ! am
loath TO leave them for my ancestors.
whom i reverence greatly, but have
never seen. am so weak as TO pre-
fer my wife and little ones"
$50. then: tell them what l have
said to you. aud will In time return
you 20 those you love"
The spy was conducted 90 the wall
aud stood upon IL. the soldiers OF the
Shotgun keeping in the background
He slgnaled the besicgers to come
near that he might speak TO them.
So they all drew as near as they
dared. the family Of the spy coming
with ihe others. The spy stood look
ing at them henignly as they drew
near and saw his wife and little ones
looking up at him aDxiousiy. knowing
that he must have been discovered by
the bcsiegcd people and that a great
crisis was M hand.
The shogua sat In the center Of the
fortress. rejoicing that he had found
means Of decciving his enemies and
sending them OF when near the ac-
complIshment u all they had BEEN 80
hong striving Tor. About hiEl stood his