passing out of the city; perhaps
they were being massed in the Palace; perhaps.... Anything was
possible, and, as one thought, imperceptibly the atmosphere seemed to
become more stifled, as if a storm was about to break on us, and we
knew our feebleness. Yet we are strong as we can ever be. The
fortification work has gone on without a break. It has become
unending....

XXI

MORE DIPLOMACY

31st July, 1900.

* * * * *

More despatches have been sent by our diplomats to the Tsung-li Yamen,
complaining about all the ominous signs we see around us, and asking
for explanations. Explanations--they are so easy to give! Every
question has been promptly answered, even though the Yamen itself is
probably only just managing to keep its head above the muddy waters of
revolution which surge around. Listen to the replies. The sound of
heavy guns we hear in the north of the city are due to the
government's orders to exterminate the Boxers and rebels, who have
been attacking the Pei-t'ang Cathedral and harassing the converts. The
great barricade across the Northern canal bridge was built solely to
protect the Chinese soldiery from the accuracy of our fire, which is
greatly feared. As for the mining, our ears must have played us false.
None is going on.

Such was the gist of the answers which have been promptly sent in.
These answers and this correspondence give our diplomats satisfaction,
I suppose, but most people think that they are making themselves more
undignified than they have been ever since this storm broke on us. The
Yamen can in any case do nothing; it is merely a consultative or
deliberative body of no importance. Probably exactly the same type of
despatches are being sent to the commanders of the relieving columns
at Tientsin.

There being so little for the rank and file to do or talk about at the
present moment, there is endless gossip and scandal going on. The
subject of eggs is one of the most burning ones! Great numbers of eggs
are being obtained by the payment of heavy sums to some of the more
friendly soldiery around us, who steal in with baskets and sacks, and
receive in return rolls of dollars, and these eggs are being
distributed by a committee. Some people are getting more than others.
Everybody professes tremendous rage because a certain lady with
blue-black hair is supposed to have used a whole dozen in the washing
of her hair! She is one of those who have not b