false this time. The columns
were forming for a general advance as the letters were sent off. The
advance guard was leaving immediately, the main body following two
days later; and the whole of the international forces would arrive
before the middle of the month of August. That is what the letters
said. Also, the American Minister's cipher message had got through,
and was now known to the entire world. Everybody's eyes were fixed on
Peking. There was nothing else spoken of. That made us stronger than
anything else. Poor human nature--we are so egotistical!

But there were other items of news. For the first time we learned that
Tientsin has had a siege and bombardment of its own; that all
Manchuria is in flames; that the Yangtse Valley has been trembling on
the brink of rebellion; that Tientsin city has at last been captured
by European troops and a provisional government firmly established;
and that many of the high Chinese officials have committed suicide in
many parts of China. It is curious what a shock all this news gave,
and how many people behaved almost as if their minds had become
unhinged. But then we have had two months of it, and in two months you
can travel far. In the hospital it was noticed, too, that all the
wounded became more sick.... It has been decided that any further news
must be only gradually divulged, and that despatches which give
absolute details can no longer be posted on the Bell-tower....

A network of ruined houses around the old Mongol market have just been
seized and occupied by a volunteer force. This is the last weak spot
there is--a half-closed gap, which could be rushed by bodies of men
coming in from the Ch'ien Men Gate and ordered to attack us. This new
angle of native houses are being sandbagged and loopholed. Both sides,
defenders and attacking forces, are now as ready as possible. What is
going to happen? I am mightily tired of speculating and of writing.

XXIII

TRIFLES

4th August, 1900.

* * * * *

There is now, and has been for the best part of the last forty-eight
hours, outpost shooting on all sides, which remains quite unexplained.
Listen how it happens.

You are sitting at a loophole, half asleep, perhaps, during the
daytime, when crack! a bullet sends a shower of brick chips and a
powder-puff of dust over your head. You swear, maybe, and quietly
continue dozing. Then come two or three rifle reports and more dust.
This tim