ld-gun at the left corner.
However, fixing bayonets, the bluejackets charged with a cheer, the
enemy quickly bolted, and were met with the fire of the marines, who had
been left outside for that purpose. The Russians also drove out the
enemy at their end, and destroyed the arsenal. Our losses were 7 killed
and 21 wounded.

On 28th June and the following day messages came in from Pekin, dated
24th June, "Our case is desperate; come at once." Terrible news indeed
for the allies; it was but two days since the expedition which had set
out for Pekin had returned, and now the Tientsin settlement itself was
in danger, besieged and bombarded daily by the Chinese forts. No
attempt even at relief was at this time possible, and there was an awful
anxiety both here and in Europe as to what the fate of the embassies
might be.

On the 4th of July the Chinese made an attack upon the railway station,
and were repulsed; and on the same day two additional 12-pounder guns
from the _Terrible_ arrived, and also two Krupp guns taken from the Taku
forts, a most important access of strength to the Naval Brigade, for up
to this time the only guns had been the 12-pounder of the _Terrible_,
two 9-pounder marine field-guns, and three 6 pounder Hotchkiss.

The next two days the forts in the native city were heavily bombarded by
the _Terrible's_ guns, assisted by French and Japanese field-guns.
Several of the Chinese guns were silenced, but others, difficult to
locate owing to the use of smokeless powder, replied with spirit and
made good practice. A gallant attempt was made on the afternoon of the
6th by Major Bruce of the 1st Chinese Regiment to silence a 9-pounder
which had been pushed up to within short range, and appeared to be
aiming at the waterworks. The admiral lent him a 9-pounder gun, and
Commander Beattie, of the _Barfleur_, with 70 men. No cover could be
found, and the 9-pounder could not be brought into action owing to the
heavy rifle fire, and the attempt had to be abandoned. The force lost 2
killed and 5 wounded, among the latter being Major Bruce and Mr F.
Esdaile, midshipman of the _Barfleur_, the latter mortally.

The Chinese for some days had gradually been pushing their lines round
to the west and south of the native city, with a view to cutting the
communication by river and also placing the battery of the British naval
guns under a fire from the rear as well as front. Moreover, the Chinese
gunners were improving d