The Adventures of Sekku Ho

Or How Japan Whipped the Chinese in Korea

Directions For Playing

• I. Select one of the company as reader.
• II. The Reader shall take the small printed slips and distribute them equally among the part.
• III. In reading, pause at each _____ and cast the eye upon some one who must instantly fill up the pause by reading a slip.
• IV. As soon as a card is read, lay it aside.
• V. The slips should not be looked over by any person, nor any selection made, but each should be taken when required, and read as they may chance to appear.

SEKKU HO was a Japanese soldier. For twenty-five years he had lounged about the barracks at Yeddo, rising at the bugle call, summoned to his meals in the same manner, and retired when “taps” sounded at night. Like a thunderbolt from the clear sky, therefore, came the startling news that war had been declared against China, and the army of Japan must embark at daybreak for the peninsula of Korea.

Little wonder that in his dreams that night he saw _____ like _____ creeping stealthily upon him, holding aloft _____, with the fierce visage of _____, and breathing forth _____ from his fiery nostrils. Now, Ho was not by nature a brave man, so may be excused for being seized with _____, when upon awaking he found his couch occupied by _____.

At length the army moved, headed by _____, while the band played _____. This seemed to enthuse _____, and with martial tread they marched to _____.

As the boats pushed from shore many a brave soldier shed _____, to think that this might be his last look at _____, while _____ faintly visible on the receding shores, waved _____, and called out _____ as a last farewell to the departing _____. Alas, brave sons of Japan, your graves shall be marked by _____.

The Japanese fleet was commanded by _____, ably seconded by _____. Their daily rations were as follows: For breakfast _____, thoroughly seasoned with _____, and boiled for five minutes in _____. The appetizing odor which this produced reminded our hero of _____, a favorite dish of his boyhood days.

The meal was served on _____ by _____, and thoroughly enjoyed by all. Dinner was even more elaborate, consisting of a delicious concoction of the following articles: _____, and _____, and _____, well chopped together and fried until Brown. For supper they generally ate _____, although _____, was preferred by the more fastidious.

The sun had risen high in _____, on the memorable day, July 25th, when the Japanese fleet approached the port of Ping Yang, and beheld their hated enemy _____, drawn up in battle array. Quickly the decks were cleared for action, throwing overboard such useless articles as _____, and _____. The cannons were loaded with _____, which, with unerring aim, penetrated _____, and burst, dealing death and destruction on every side.

Slowly the hostile fleets drew near. On the Chinese warship could be seen _____, looking through _____, and gesticulating violently. From the masthead floated _____, while _____ in the pilot house turned _____, which steered the ship.

Sekku Ho’s knees smote together beneath him. He thought of _____, and _____, with other fond scenes at home, and how his sweetheart at that moment might be thinking of _____. This nerved him to action, and seizing _____, he threw it far into _____. Three men fell dead, and the battle was on in earnest.

But now behold the Chinese warship Kowsing grappling with _____, the two antagonists like _____, riding the waves of _____. In her prow stood _____, proud monarch of _____; attired in _____, on his head _____, around his waist _____, and holding in his hand _____ which glistened in the sun. Every man was armed with _____, and carried at his belt _____. The cannons belched forth flames of _____. Suddenly _____ appeared on board the hostile vessel. Consternation prevailed. Some seized _____, others _____; anything to preserve _____ before she sank. For the moment all eyes were fixed on _____, as she went down to the bottom of _____ with 1,200 souls aboard. This was too much for _____. Hoisting all sail they fled to _____, and only _____ on the waters below remained to tell the story. Alas, for _____!

But where was Sekku Ho? He was last seen to dodge behind _____, to escape _____, but being struck by _____ fell prostrate upon _____. They searched for him in _____, inquired of _____, but finally found him beneath _____, sleeping the sleep of _____. Give him _____, said one; administer _____ said another. But the doctor looked grave, and said that only a dose of _____ would bring him back to _____. This proved effectual, his first request being for _____.

The Japanese fleet next landed at _____, and celebrated their victory by burning _____, and feasting for three days on _____. Here, also, began that memorable campaign against _____. Sekku Ho distinguished himself by discovering _____ hidden in the camp as a spy, whom they executed by hanging to_____. The king of Korea gave him _____ in exchange for _____, for which in thankfulness he declared the king was _____. This maddened the monarch, who declared that Ho was worse than _____, and shut him in a dungeon for the space of _____. But Ho escaped on _____, bound for home, which he reached in safety, the first object to meet his gaze being _____. Supposing him dead, his wife had run away with _____. But Ho fell in love with _____, whom he married, and they lived in happiness to the end of _____.