d we have
nothing but brutal realities.

XV

THE ARMISTICE

17th July, 1900.

* * * * *

The impossible has happened at the eleventh hour. Around us those
hoarse-throated trumpets have been ringing out stentoriously all day.
How blood-curdling they sounded! Calling fiercely and insistently to
one another, this barbaric cease-fire of brass trumpets has grown to
such a blood-curdling roar that attention had to be paid, and
gradually but surely the rifles have been all stilled until complete
and absolute silence surrounds us. At last diplomacy in the far-away
outer world has made itself heard, and we who are placed in the very
centre of this Middle Kingdom of China, being parleyed with by the
responsible Chinese Government. It has been a long and heart-breaking
wait, but it is always better late than never.

This is exactly what has happened, although I have only just learned
the full details. On the 14th--that is, three days ago--a native
messenger, bearing our tidings, was sent out in fear and trembling,
induced to attempt to reach Tientsin by lavish promises, and by the
urgency of missionary entreaties. But instead of even getting out of
the city, the messenger was captured, beaten, and detained for several
days at the headquarters of the Manchu commander-in-chief, Jung Lu, in
the Imperial city. Then, finally, when he thought that he was being
led out to be put to death, he was brought back to our barricades,
presenting a very sorrowful appearance, but bearing a fateful despatch
from Prince Ching and all the members of the Tsung-li Yamen. This
despatch had nothing very sensational in it, but it marked the
beginning. It merely stated that soldiers and bandits had been
fighting during the last few days; that the accuracy and vigour of our
fire had created alarm and suspicion; and that, in consequence, our
Ministers and their staffs were invited to repair at once to the
Tsung-li Yamen, where they would be properly cared for. As for the
rest of the thousand living and dead Europeans and the two thousand
native Christians within our lines, they were not even dignified by
being mentioned. Most people inferred from this that by some means
even the extremists of the Chinese Government had realised that if all
the foreign Ministers were killed, it would be necessary for Europe to
sacrifice some members of the Imperial family.

But the despatch, although its terms were trivial and