ing away the big ones--vases, small tables, carvings, jars,
bowls--everything. We wrap them up in a bundle of great-coats and
feed-bags in the morning, and carry them away; no one's ever the
wiser. All round the Palace they are doing the same. The Yankees, the
Russians, and all of them are in the same boat. All night they climb
the walls to get the swag. Give them another six months and there will
be nothing left."

Thus spoke the spokesman of the party. It was organised plundering,
and everybody winked at it. After they had gone I sat long and
reflected. This was the retribution and the vengeance. We were all
tarred with the same brush; we were returning to primitive methods.
Yet, what could be done--what steps could be taken? It was rather a
hopeless tangle, and once more I gave it up.

IX

DRIFTING

September, 1900.

* * * * *

There is not a single scrap of news worth recording, although
telegrams are now coming through more and more freely by the field
telegraphs from Europe. Still, no one knows what is going to happen.
As an appreciation of the astute action of the Court in fleeing at the
last second of the eleventh hour becomes more and more general, people
begin to see how absurd we have become with our avenging armies which
were going to do so much, and are now merely traders collecting and
valuing and slowly taking away the best loot of the capital. The
troops effected the relief, it is true; but there should have been
other steps. If these are now taken it is too late. Some, indeed, say
that punitive expeditions are going to be sent into the country as
soon as a transport service can be organised. Even now nests of Boxers
and disbanded soldiers are reported in great numbers only a few miles
beyond Peking. These men seem to understand that they are quite safe
even so close as this to the European corps, and that ample warning
will be conveyed to them directly there is any movement, so as to
allow them to escape. They, too, are now pillaging and setting fire
far and wide. Cossacks and other cavalry are supposed to be out many
miles beyond Peking, sweeping the country, and blowing up or setting
fire to temples and rich country-seats as a warning to others of the
fate which may overtake all for harbouring evil-doers. Yet even this
is done on no system. It is irresolute, foolish. A day or two ago,
from the top of the Tartar Wall, where I was idly sitting, I saw a
hug