Japanese fire was aimed mainly at our ships. Several enemy shells flew over coastal fortifications and exploded on Mount Perepelina.
Huge clouds of smoke from simple powder, which was still used by the Russians on mortar batteries, covered the Golden Mountain. After each shot, white smoke rings jumped up and then slowly floated toward the bay.
With an electric cliff fired from long-range guns. They threw out long flames. Instead of smoke, yellow dust flashed over the battery.
Our and Japanese ships fired continuously. Novik and Bayan, despite the fire concentrated on them, kept on keeping in front, without ceasing to respond to the enemy.
There were fires in many Japanese courts. Electric cliff hit the enemy, but the shells of the remaining coastal batteries before the enemy ships did not reach.
The fight lasted thirty minutes. The Japanese retreated. It was the first attack by the Russians on the Kwantung Peninsula.
Chapter six
one
In the second battery, the message about the outbreak of war was made by the battery commander, Colonel Mehmandarov, a short man with a proud posture. His mustache was famously curled, his thick beard split in half. Hard, red-streaked eyes looked stubbornly. In a long knee-length uniform, in boots with round hard tops, he looked like a museum mannequin.
Throwing his hands back, he stood in the middle of the barracks in front of the line and said in a hoarse voice:
The war has begun. Get ready for a hike. We are facing combat trials. Anyone who truly loves his homeland and father-king will show the valor of the Russian arms to the whole world.The Japanese are not alone. Starting a war, they hope for the support of other states and especially of England. The batteries of our division will face the very first Japanese, because you and I are close to the border. A few days later we will march towards an insidious enemy. We have to perform difficult and responsible tasks. You, battery riders, gunners, bombardiers, gunners and fireworks, I know how well done, well prepared for firing from our beautiful guns. The Japanese do not have such guns in the field artillery. We will undoubtedly have an advantage in accuracy and range. Our 1902 model guns are improved. The motherland and the emperor hope that you will show the enemy the strongest resistance, using your strength and ingenuity in difficult moments. You will cruelly persecute him when he falters and runs So, ahead, to victories and royal awards! I wish you to return whole and healthy Hooray!
Podkovin saw Mehmandarov for the first time. In January, due to illness, he never showed up at the barracks. According to the soldiers, Mehmandarov was an extravagant, evil man. An old bachelor, he lived alone in a huge apartment. His batman was very tight: thousands of quibbles per day. In addition, the colonel had hemorrhoid surgery a few days ago. Once the sergeant-major assigned to him a soldier of the 1903 Arshinov draft, a big quitter and a dandy. Not even one day passed before Arshinov returned.
Whats the matter? asked his comrades.
I come. Asks: parents are alive, where are they? I say in hard labor. For what? Cried the commander. A visiting man was killed off He looked at me, grunted and sent me back. So I did not have to, thanks to God, candles from hemorrhoids, he put.
How will such well-trained campaigners behave on the battlefield? Thought Podkovin, failing after the end of the message.
2
Ten days later, Podkovin received a letter from her sister.
Dear Tikhon! We are very sad. The war has begun, and you will soon be in Manchuria. Perhaps the letter will not find you. We hope to receive letters from you more often. We will know where you are. Our letters are unlikely to reach you will be shifting all the time and we will definitely receive yours. We have nothing special happened. Mom cried heavily on the day of the declaration of war. Varya enrolled in a voluntary squad of sisters and soon leaves for the front. After your departure, she behaves closed, lost weight, We all discouraged her, but she did not obey. Maybe its all for the better: you now have your own sister of mercy.
I did not understand you, why did you dry out Varya dryly? Even if you dont love her, she is your childhood friend. You did not want to commit yourself Girls, and women in general, do not forgive such delicate calculation and circulation. In case of Vari, I would have spat on you thats all I remember you saying that you would not marry before returning from military service. The statement is good, but still Varyu should be petted A year ago, she was jealous of you for Vale, and when she left, she calmed down. Yes, and we all decided: Valya will not wait for you, but the main thing is that she is not a couple to you. Varya swore in front of me is waiting for you. Come what may, she said.
By the way, in the last letters from Harbin, Valya asks about you. We told her where you are. Levers not married. He made me a second offer, He is a good man, but I cannot become his wife.
Sworn attorney Zverev was very requested to convey his regards to you, Delusto was appointed a member of the court. He said that when you went to a session in the city of Far, a local big merchant Lykov came to his room and said: Give me your employee Tikhon Podkovina. I have a big deal, of national importance, but there are no honest people. What does he get from you?-Received fifteen, but will receive twenty-five, Delyusto told him. Ugh, you, abyss! At such a penny place, and such a valuable person got. How do you know him? Asked Delyusto. Chance helped. Inovs from Harbin telegraphed for me to meet. I immediately saw him through the dinner. The merchants on the people have a great scent. In money matters, intelligent people are needed. Delight spread his hands: He is free, his will. So, then, a freelancer? Said the merchant happily. A day later, at a new meeting, he told Delyusto: The guy doesnt want, he doesnt need to, he says, to tie up, in the fall, all the same as soldiers I wanted to buy it from the soldiery, but he refused. And it would cost a couple of thousand
Varya is glad for that evening, which was arranged in honor of yours, conducted by our good friends Pestsov.
You in your burgundy cashmere shirt made a good impression on everyone. It seems that only that evening Varya had kissed her deeply with you. She always remembers this evening with a sad smile.
Having received this letter, you do not imagine much about yourself there. All kiss you tightly. Do not brag on the war. Remember you still need a mother. Levers you wrote a separate letter. He came and showed yours to him.
If we receive a letter from Vali, then what should she answer? Do you love her as you once loved, or are you still offended? She told me more than once: I did not understand Tikhon, he was so unpretentious and clumsy. She regrets that she didnt see you right away Valya is, of course, an exceptional person. She loves you sincerely. With someone bind her fate? For our family, it is not suitable. It may be a tragedy. Although, who knows, in life everything happens. Valya Valya, and Vare must write a letter. Just look, rather. Mom sends a blessing and kisses, and we and Varya and even more so. Here she stands and cries. Your sister Fima.