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Rh received from Stummer, but Nuggy had no such excuse.

The sight that greeted our soldiers when the transport dropped anchor off Taku was truly an inspiring one. At Nagasaki they had seen many vessels of various nationalities; but never before had they witnessed such a collection of noble-looking warships, each cleared for action and each flying the flag of the nation to which it belonged as well as its own naval ensign. Here were armored cruisers, battleships, ironclads, torpedo boats, and despatch steamers innumerable; while still closer to the various landings lay transports, coal, and supply vessels, all busy loading or unloading, and many teeming with soldiers.

"What a collection!" said Gilbert, as he and Captain Banner surveyed the scene through a fieldglass. "Just look at those Japanese soldiers. I don't believe one of them is over five feet six inches in height."

"No, but I understand they make good fighters," answered the captain. "The Frenchmen, unloading next to them, are not much larger."

"There are some soldiers we have never seen before," put in Major Morris, who was also at the rail.