The Christians uatucally live been ina state of consterustion:"- As the officials made not the slightest attempt to suppress the outrages or protect the innocent. victims, the Tater have gathered up their few belongings and gone into hiding until the storm should pass over, Some have yielded 0 fit as to renounce their fulth, though these are reported as few, while others have compromised by paying blackmail: all of these last from Roman Catholics, and one payment was $300 for three or four funilies, a large sum considering their poverty. Lust week the lendera took another step and determined to drive out the foreigner himself as Well as his converts. Messengers were sent out to three different sects who have affiliated thus far, to meet at a certain place and hour to raid the mission premises at Pangebuang, But the number responding to the invitation seemed to them too small, and another date was set. By this time the danger became apparent to the m sionaries and the telegraph was used to secure help, As a result, soldiers were sent immediately from the county town, and promised from the nearest barracks, The attempt to obtain possession of this mission property, which in their ignorance the leaders supposed they would be able to hold us hendguarters for themselves, served tell (0 thivart it. Several non-Christian Jages sent over their elvers with offers ut the Christians turned to with n will to help guard the premises, and the magistrates manifested both willingness and anxiety to do whut they could, Lhe leaders of the malignants did not give up, but though they set. the day of their visit'agnin, it only showed that they had not complete control of their followers, for as on a previous cession, the attack which was promised failed to come off as advertised.
The wildest statements naturally obtained currency. A flag raised in a conspicuous position started the rumour that x thousand troops had come to help "hold the fort," thus enabling the missionaries to literally live under the protection of their ting. Another rumour atated that said. premises were mined and cvantermined, 80 thie at the word everything above ground or below could be blown skyward uta moment's notice, which did not help to steady the nerves of the rustics who were exhorted to expose their precious lives to such unknown dangers, Meantime there are indications that the bands, if not breaking up, are not gaining in strength. Many huve joined them from four or in thoughileswess, but now they see that the results may be very serious, Were there a leader of real power to come forward with a gift at organising, the danger would be great; but no such man has appeared, Like other uprisings in Ching, this one promises to die out, rather than be stamped out, though quite probably some Treads will be saceifized to slow th reality of otticial interference at the close.
21st September.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.