owers, at once galloping to the right
and left, disclosed the Armstrong guns, which had just before been
ordered to move their position. They were, however, under the command
of Lieutenant Rochfort, who, as he was about to obey the order, saw the
threatening movement of the enemy. He therefore held his ground, and
when the General and his staff rode aside, he was ready for action. At
first the range was incorrect. With perfect coolness he altered the
elevation, and, as the Tartars came on, yelling furiously, opened a fire
which, aided by the rifles of the 2nd Queen's, emptied many a saddle,
and sent the enemy speedily to the right-about, with yells of terror and
despair. Another body of Tartar cavalry were posted on an eminence
which had a sudden fall at the foot of it, with a deep ditch in front.
It was evident that they thought the cavalry could not pass this ditch,
and that they might easily pick them off with their matchlocks. The 1st
Dragoon Guards, however, rode at it, and cleared the ditch, one or two
men only getting out of the ranks. The dragoons then made a furious
charge, and soon put the Tartars to flight. Finally, the Chinese
intrenched camp was taken, and their army was driven back towards Pekin,
completely broken and disorganised. During these operations, nearly 600
guns were captured by the Allies. The army now advanced towards Pekin;
and on the 7th of October the Emperor was informed that unless the
prisoners were restored, and one of the gates of the Imperial city was
placed in the hands of the Allies, Pekin would be stormed.

These terms were agreed to. On the 13th of October, at noon, possession
was taken of the gate by a small body of English and French; the money
demanded was paid, and the surviving prisoners were delivered up; others
had died under the barbarous treatment received by them.

CHAPTER TEN.

THE NEW ZEALAND WAR--1863-1865.

ENSIGN MCKENNA--AN EXAMPLE OF COOL COURAGE AND DEVOTION.

We do not like to hear of war in New Zealand. Long ago the native
inhabitants of these magnificent islands desired to become subjects of
Queen Victoria. Their offers were accepted, and New Zealand became a
British colony.

Differences, however, arose between the settlers and the natives,
chiefly about land; and from time to time the latter have attempted to
assert their rights in a thoroughly barbarous fashion, by murdering all
the white settlers they could fall on unprepared. It is d