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THE OPENING OF THE BALL 55
beard was nearly white and his hair grizzly, he
carried his fifty-six years lightly. He had fine,
calm, resolute eyes. His smile was most pleasant,
and revealed a set of perfect teeth. He looked a
strong man, a man of great intellect, self-possession,
and tenacity of purpose. When we left him, we
were all ready to believe that we could take his
hint of seeing him again shortly—in Port Arthur
as something more than a mere fac^on de parley.
His quiet confidence in himself and his brave
soldiers made us waive all our doubts and all our
own theories, and believe, as all his officers and
men believed, that he would really take Port
Arthur by direct assault in a few days.
Later on, when we came to know him better, other
sides of his character came more into evidence.
General Nogi is, of all the Japanese I have met,
the most perfect gentleman. Courteous, con-
siderate, chevalieresque, not only in manners, but
from the bottom of his heart, he was always ready
to help and assist us. Even when things went
worst with his army, and he himself had been
struck a fearful blow by the loss of his only
surviving son (killed during the attacks on 203
Metre Hill), he found time to think of our welfare
and send us wine and dainty fruits from his own
gardens. He liked to see and talk to us, and was
very much interested in English views and opinions.
The General could not speak our language, though
he understood a little, and our conversations had
therefore to be held through an interpreter. This
naturally to a considerable degree prevented a
more intimate intercourse, which I feel sure nobody
regretted more than the General himself.
One bitterly cold winter day, when a strong
gale was blowing, I met him as he came riding
home from a tour of inspection. I saluted, and
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