Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1900 edition. Excerpt: ... atrocities. I tell you we are boiling, and long for relief, not only to get out of our (to-day) very tight fix indeed, but also for an awful and just revenge on these unprincipled murderers. At 11.30 came the news that the Nan Tang (S. Cathedral) was on fire, a building 278 years old, and of great historical interest, containing as it did a Memorial Tablet given to the Cathedral by the Emperor Kang Hsi. It was l miles from our Legation towards the tlsuin Chi Men, but for fear of weakening the Legation defence, they dare not send immediate help. Bishop Scott's (except the church and dwellinghouse, which went next day) burnt and looted. At 12.45 Capt. Wray captured a Boxer, and he was put in our cells. He was unarmed, or he would have been shot at once. It was a pity he was'nt, as the boys and Mafus, etc., in the Legation thought he could breathe fire and harm the Legations when bound, and many left. He came out to the North Bridge kowtowing and making idiotic gestures and said he was going to buy food. Two disgraceful Edicts were published condoning the Boxers.'" Another Council of War was held. At 7, the Germans on the Tartar City wall, seeing a meeting of Boxers outside the wall, fired from the wall and killed 10 odd, dispersing the rest. This started the most terrific yelling I have ever heard, you cannot conceive the row, and the yells of "Sha," "Sha" (Kill! Kill!), etc., lasted till 11.30, but the Chien Men and the Ha-ta Men were shut, and they could not get in. The Americans and Russians caught a man setting fire to Legation Street. Two large fires were reported from our south stable picket, where I went up to have a look out. I had just left and got to the Ping Gate, when I heard firing from our north picket. The Boxers had...