A Tale of Red Pekin

ther day of suspense and agitation had passed. An Envoy had appeared, and a letter couched in the usual terms

pass out, as this would only have caused doubt and suspicion in the breasts of the peaceable Chinese! An answer must be sent at once, or consequences might follow which it would be impossible to prevent, notwithstanding the depth and extent of their affection for all the foreigners residing in the Legations at Pekin! This manifesto was read and re-read, and received the contempt and derision it deserved. Did they really think, men asked themselves, that they would abandon the Chinese Christians who had stood by

eward. The Colonel knew that his child and her friend were safe, still he felt wretchedly anxious and unhappy, especially on account of Nina's illness; and the worst of it was, his hands were tied; there was nothing for it but to wait-he could not leave the Legation, even if he had been able to do so; it would not be right to desert his post, his honour forbade that; besides, it would have been certain death, and he had no

on sorrow is a wonderful cementer of friendship, and the two men were drawn very close to each other during that awful time. But to-night Captain Ross was absent on duty, and his place by the Colonel's side was occupied by a younger man. It was a young, eager, boyish face that looked up at

possible, an added shade of s

; you cannot go-of course that goes without saying-but I can, and

you are doing? As surely as you leave here you go to certain death, and how can I, even for the sake

e fixity of a noble resolve, and his brilli

hhold your permission out of consideration for my life, then, though

eized his han

God bless you, and be mercifu

ed, adding in his full, rich voice, "T

. Perhaps I ought to have said more to you young fellows, but I must say one thing, and it is t

lost without Him," repl

utes they retraced their steps to the Colonel's quarters, and for a long time after that silence reigned so far as they were concerned. The night was comparatively still-every now and then flames leapt up into the sky, tel

*

l's dog must have been a bad house dog, for he seemed rather pleased than otherwise, and wagged his tail appreciatively when the younger of the two

Who goe

fri

sitated; here were two Chinese stealing out of the camp, and to all appearance hailing from the Colonel's quarters. The sentry's challeng

gress was not arrested here, all might still be well, but, if the British saw

e younger man of the two, "We run mor

cautiously round-not a soul was in view. In the distance they heard the tramp of the guard-every now and then a shrill cry from the

ssess the agility of a cat. In a moment he had scaled t

e, sir; it will be best

ay be quite sure I shall risk nothing; too mu

other side, when all of a sudden the silence of the night was broken; they were discovere

Down quick f

en had dropped silently over the wall, and were n

er as possible, sir, or

. Crawford, laughing. "My friends

ough, sir," Wang replied, "and then

tness, Wang contrived to mingle and join with them, raising the cry as he did so, "Sha, sha, sha."

re the day the ladies were taken." They were passing, as he spoke

ehind they heaved

nd distract their attention whilst you make the entrance. About twenty yards ahead you will see a curious stone in the ground, close by the

n had been accomplished. He approached the tree indicated, hit it three times smartly with his sword, and then waited anxiously. After a few seconds, which seemed to him of interminable length, he thought he distinguished a faint sound beneath him, but, to his horror, he saw a party of men approaching from the