hing that is being done. Two days ago a young Scotch volunteer
got killed almost on purpose, because he was sick and tired of the
cowardice and indecision. And now, not content with all this, there is
a new folly. An alleged searchlight has been seen flickering on the
skies at night, and M----, the British Minister, has in a burst of
optimism declared that it is the relief under S---- signalling to us.
Yet there are men who know exactly what it is--the opening of the
doors of a blast-furnace in the Chinese city, which sends up a ruddy
light in certain weather.

Discipline is becoming bad, too, and sailors and volunteers off duty
are looting the few foreign stores enclosed in our lines. Everything
is being taken, and the native Christians, finding this out, have been
pouring in bands when the firing ceases and wrecking everything
which they cannot carry away.

A German marine killed one, and several have been dangerously wounded.
In our present condition anything is possible. Still, the
fortification work is proceeding steadily, and the appearance of the
base, the British Legation, has been miraculously changed. Enormous
quantities of sandbags have been turned out and placed in position,
and all the walls are now loopholed. With all this access of strength,
we are much more secure, and yet our best contingents are being very
slowly but very continuously shot to pieces. Our casualty list is now
well into the second hundred, and as the line of defenders thins, the
men are becoming more savage. In addition to looting, there have been
a number of attempts on the native girl converts, which have been
hushed up.... Ugly signs are everywhere, and the position becomes from
day to day less enviable.

X

THE GUNS

10th July, 1900.

* * * * *

Had we a single gun how different it would be! We could parade it
boldly under the enemy's nose; sweep his barricades and his advanced
lines away in a cloud of dust and brick-chips; bombard his camps which
we have located; make him sorry and ashamed ... as it is we can do
nothing; we have not a single piece which can be called serious
artillery; and we must suffer the segment which the enemy affects in
almost complete silence. Listen to our list of weapons.

First, there is the Italian one-pounder firing ballistite. It is
absolutely useless. Its snapping shells are so small that you can
thrust them in your pocket without noticing them. This gu