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My thoughts went back to my talk with the Admiral in the Mikasa's cabin that afternoon; I suddenly remembered that the work in hand was to be carried out as I had planned it; and in a moment all my anxiety vanished, I was my own man again, mentally planning what I would do; and from that moment I felt as cool and collected and keen as was Ito who stood beside me.
"Never mind, Yamada, old chap," I exclaimed, as we shook hands and ascended the Mikasa's side ladder together; "perhaps you will get the pull of me later on. But I'll bet you a case of champagne that the Yakumo scores a hit before the Asama, to-day."
The military bands aboard the transports were playing what I supposed to be patriotic airs, from the applause which they evoked, steam was roaring from the safety valves, fussy little tugs were rushing hither and thither, and at the precise moment when the water under the Mikasa's counter broke into a sudden swirl and the ship began to move, a transient gleam of wintry sunshine burst through the clouds and fell full upon her!
At a distance of twelve thousand yards the Mikasa's helm was shifted and the course of the Japanese line altered four points to the eastward, as though our purpose was to pass along the Russian line to port, exchanging broadsides as we passed; and so the enemy evidently understood, for he came steadily on. But we knew differently.
Then, turning to where Captain Ijichi stood near the cabin door, he said, in Japanese: "Are all present, Ijichi?" Some half a dozen officers had followed close upon my heels, and I noticed that, as each entered, the Mikasa's skipper had ticked off something on a list which he held in his hand. "All present, sir," answered Ijichi, referring to his list. "Good!" remarked the Admiral.
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