When frst reports began to circulate to effect that an outbreak of hostilities in the North was a not unlikely thing, I, being one of a party of missionaries resident in a well-known inland capital, began to take note, not so much of what was happening at the seat of trouble, as of the effect which news of the trouble, leaking through in driblets, often losing colour, but more often gaining it in transit, had upon the people by whom I am surrounded.
Early in June reports reached us to the effec: Ut the Boxers had got to work. The rising was not unexpected, and it is to the credit of the Shanghai Press (I refer to the "N.C. Daily News") that for many months it had foreshadowed just what is now happening. About the mid-dio of the month we were informed that placards, calling upon the populace to demolish the Jesus Hall, had been posted in the city. (This turned out to be untrue.) The date fixed for demolition was Monday, the 18th of June, but the day came and went and there was no riot.
We had never for a moment expected that there would be one. On Tuesday, the military mandarin sent us word that a guard of soldiers had been placed in the guard house above the North Gate, in order to be near at hand in case of difficulty. Would we kindly call them at the first "sign of trouble. The messenger received our thanks and returned to his place. It may be said that. missionary generally do not care to nave Chinese soldiers about. Firstly, because they rely on God rather than on military organisations. Secondly (perhaps this should be the first point), because the average Chinese soldier is only brave in so far as he has the character for "Brave" stuck on his tunic back and front. And then, when things really reach rioting point, the soldiers seem to get as much of the booty as anybody. Our policy therefore, was to keep the braves fas far away as possible. However, they patrolled the streets in our vicinity, and perhaps twice a day, would look in at the hall. One day a member of the Governor's retinue passed and failed to see any soldiers about. He mentioned the fact to the Governor. The Governor sent for the military mandarin and gave him a cigging. The M.M. protested his innocence in the matter, but there can be no doubt that he in turn wigged his chief officers; they in their turn would wig the sergeants and corporals, and so on until, as I suppose, the wigging completed a cir cult, the privates, on whom the 6 non-corns had vented their spleen, doing their share by (inwardly) cursing every officer in the regiment. Finally the M. M. came to the hall in person and desired us to allow him to place a guard on the premises. This, he pointed out, was not to be construed into an admission of neglect on the part of the officials. Had not his men, three nights before, captured and beaten a man whom they found sleeping in a small shrine 150 yards away? However, let him place the guard on the premises and all would be well. But we did not want the guard and finally persuaded him to station it in the Dragon Temple, which, we pointed out, was near enough to suit anyone. He promised to do this, and from that day the guard has been stationed there. At the same time, from three toa dozen braves are always hanging about {the hall.
Our barber is much interested in the present trouble; so is the water-carrier, but of him anon. The barber is as good as a newspaper reporter, and has a special aptitude for finding out all that goes on in the city. An official proclamation is posted at the city gate. Be not anxious fo see it! In the morning the barber comes to dress your queue (may the same queue depart with the Manchus) and during the operation will retail the latest gossip of the city. I remember just here that barbers have a reputation as talkers. Until lately we have had doubts as to whether this particular specimen existed for our convenience or we for his, but for the nonce we are content to take him at his own valuation.
"Has teacher had a paper from Shang-kai this morning?" he will ask with a look of bland innocence.
"No! there is nothing from Shanghai, What do the men of the city say?"
"The mea of the city speak wild words—lying words "Ha! is that so? What say they?"
"They speak lying words. They say that the teachers have sected a large quantity of gunpowder, and that the place will be blown up as soon as they leave. But these are falsehoods, of course!"
I think he half believed the thing was true. This idle report spread rapidly amongst our near neighbours, and some were so affected by it that they began to move their furniture and leave their homes. Now, our water-carrier is a bit of a humourist. When any one asked him ifthe report were true, he took up a position peculiarly his own. Certainly he did not say the thing was true. Oh, no! Why should the foreign teachers not have powder on the place if they wanted Those that made any attempt to raid the place would know all about it. And off ho would go for another load of water, with a wag of the head that indicated plainly that he knew much more about the matter than he was prepared to tell.
his dupes was a venerable old doc-Unfortunately for the water-carrier our native evangelist got wind of his efforts at humour, and reported to Mr. X, the missionary in charge. Mr. X called our handy man and said, "Tell the water-carrier that if he persists in encouraging that "gunpowder story; I shall be very angry with him." The handy man smiled. "Tell him," continued Mr. X, "that if he does not stop it I will send him to the yamen." The handy man no longer smiled. Things had taken a serious turn—nt least they had for the water-carrier. Had not the Fut'ai issued a proclamation threatening to instantly behead any one known to start or encourage alarming rumours? 'The water-carrier came and indignantly denied the charge. Next day he repented his denial. Hoe would cut' his head off with a knife if he had done this thing, Would we confront him with the man who bad thus traduced him? Here was a poser! A Chinese generally backs down when faced by the man he accuses, The evangelist was called. Did he think the old doctor would maintain his position He thought he would! Would he then go and fetch him? Certainly! And in a few minutes he appeared accompanied by a fine looking, white haired old gentleman who had a pipe and a big voice. He entered the guest hall and was seated in the seat of honour. The water-carrier re~ mained outside.
Had the venerable father heard this absurd gunpowder story?
Yes he had heard it, but of course had of given it a moment's credence. (He was one of those who had removed their goods.)
Had the water-carrier been the first to j tell it to him The water-carrier No, indeed! Got it from quite a different' source! (Old perrerter.) Then, stepping to the door "Here You water-carrier Come here! Now, bow down to the teacher and thank him for his charitable benevolence in letting you off and not sending you tq thg
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.