126           A Staff Officeb's Scbap-Book
inquiries as to Kuroki's whereabouts. He said the men all loved the war, and cared nothing for hunger or fatigue where the renown and authority of the Emperor were concerned. When they were wounded or sick they had only one wish, and that was to be allowed to rejoin their companies. He also told me that the Russians had stretched an enchanted wire in front of Manjuyama, and that if any Japanese soldier was unlucky enough to touch it his head flew off his shoulders that very second. His remarks might appear bombastic or high falutin to any one who did not hear them, but as a matter of fact they were spoken quite simply and with matter-of-fact conviction from the heart.
About 9 A.M. it began to rain heavily—a regular thunder plump. We rode for refuge to this temple just short of the eastern slope of Manjuyama, and here we have found Kuroki and the General Staff forming a somewhat remarkable group.
" My tables—meet it is I set it down."
In the temple are figures of Buddha and his disciples, whose fine serenity contrasts with the fevered energy of the mortals at their feet. One of the disciples is serving as a peg from which hangs Prince Kuni's dripping waterproof. General Kuroki is seated between His Imperial Highness and Major-General Watanabe, commanding the Second Brigade of Guards, on the one side and Buddha himself on the other. A couple of planks fixed up between the Buddha throne and a chair have been made to serve as a rude table. Across these planks is laid a map, upon which Colonel Matsuishi, vice-chief of the General Staff, and a young assistant, are busy with pencil and india-rubber enter-