The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1913-12-05
How He Got
His Promotion
BY F. A. Mitchell

Japanese army 10 MS stan during the
war between Russia and Japan. "Can
no one Of you suggest some device by
which ! may do so? l have sent five
couriers. and every one of them has
been shot"
Had we a balloon. general" said
one, 1--WE might succeed"
"a balloon would be riddled," replied
the general.
HAS any one tried to go through in
the night" asked another.
eyes. and failed. Itds more difficult
to pass at night than in the day time.
In addition to running the risk Of get
ting shot, courier would almost sure
ly be lost In the darkness"
81 will carry your message, general"
said Lieutenant Kamura, five foot
youngster weighing some ninety
pounds.
by what means?"
Horse"
"Horse! Nest Of our couriers have
tried to get through in that way"
"They have not known how to be
carried through an enemy's camp by a
horse. am an equestrian"
"And how will you ride?"
'In way to avoid the observation
Of the enemy"
"Well. you may go inside the horse If
you can get my message through"
II have not yet decided just how
will ride. You know that the Ameri-
can Indians ride on one side of the
horse, holding on by one hand and by
one foot. If | could keep my enemy on
my flank this plan might serve. but
am liable to be shot at from both sides.
Give me your message. general, and
when you see me start you will know
B all about it. / have great hopes of sue
cess"
"When will you start?"
Tomorrow morning just before
reveille. 1t will be after the hour when
night attacks are expected and when
the men except the guards are asleep"
The general gave orders that he
should be called in time to see his aid
start. In the morning when he went
out before his tent he saw horse
standing there with no rider. But
under the horses belly was little
Kamura, face downward. strapped to
the animal with bands that were con-
cealed by the horses trappings. He
looked out between the horses fore
legs and held the reins in his hand.
"Now / am ready. general" he said.
"Will you please tuck your message in
my belt?"
The general did his part and, wishing
his aid success. waited for the start
On Kamura's heels were spurs with
sharp rowels, and he was free to kick
with the lower part OF his legs. A
slight touch started the horse, and he
made off, guided by the man under
him, for the enemy's lines.
He had chosen an opportune time.
The guards alone were awake. Ka-
mura rode between two Of them into
the camp. Seeing riderless horse
coming, both these men ran aside to
catch him, but by Kamura's skillful
management and a liberal supply of
spur the horse eluded them.
So far SO good. Kamura guided the
animal down a road with tents on
either side. Here and there a man
up and out before reveille saw q rider
less horse coming through the camp.
and some of those who were near tried
to catch him. But 1t Is not easy to
catch horse that does not wish to
be caught, and when he has guide
provided with spurs it is much more
difficult. Kamura ran the gantlet to
the sentry line on the opposite side of
the camp, where more efforts We're
made to catch him. A cavalryman
gave chase. but the courier had the
fleetest horse that could be found In
the Japanese army, and on his heels
were the sharpest spurs. He distanced
his pursuer, and when some time later
he rode up to the Japanese lines the
horses tanks were dripping blood.
The japanese were as surprised as
the Russians They caught wild
horse and were congratulating them
selves on their prize when squeaky
voice came from under his belly.
Take me to General MS headquar-
ters."
But before doing that they unstrap-
ped Kamura and put him on the ami
NAL instead of under him. then led
him to their commander. Kamura took
the message from his belt and said,
with the formalty usual to soldiers
on duty:
General. have the honor to hand
you a message from General B."
How did you get through from