The Protestant buildings in Moukden had been burnt on the 30th of June. The R. ©. Cathedral hat been already demolished by Imperial artillery. But we started by train from Tiehling for Newchwang on the Sth of July without any indication of the lino being interfered with, There wore a couple of engineers, game lidies who were being sent to Port Acthur for safety, tivo French Sisters and others in two horsepoxes at the rear of the trucks. About 49 li or more N.W. of Moukden, the train stopped, looking out I saw a large company of Boxers (so we were toid), lying in a fronting the line. 'The eng under heavy fusillade, in' which no one on our side was hit. The railway was broken. In the evening we returned to the point where we were attacked, to find that " station was burat and that the damage to the line was too great to be repaired that night. Next morning we made for Tiehling, where we learnt that a battle hat taken place that forenoon (6th), It was said that 46 Chinese were Killed, without the loss of one Russian. As a remarkable proof of the supersti*!on mixed up in this movement, witness rie fact that the Chinese troops were led by a girl on horseback, who was supposed to be bullet-proof. "She was shot through the head, but the story had it that she became alive again! From the station tone could see the spire of the Catholic Church injured by fire, and heary clouds of smoke were rising from what were most likely the Presbyterian Mission buildings. Though the remainder of that day was quiet, the following day (7th) was a serious time for the foreigners. The Russian Settlement, about two miles or so from the railway station, was not at any time in danger, but a sustained attack was made on the station. Most of the firing game from the enemy and was ineffective, In the course of the day, a copy of the
previously was discovered among the letfers of a runner, captured by a Cossack. The Gazette contained a proc! the Empress exhorting faithful citiz2 rise against the foreigner and his rei gion, that Taku had been taken. Phis clinched the determination of the chief engineers and military officers to leave Tichling at once, "We have enough soldiers," said one of the engineers, to defend the railway against highwaymen, but not enough for war." It was decided to make for Harbin in the North, as the southern road might be too difficult. At that time the Russian troops, horse and foot, that had gathered to this centre, numbered about 2,0, but they had then not a large supply of cartridges. Under cover of night we mide a selection from our belongings, threw aside the rest, moved out at early dawn and set fire to the Settlement behind us.
A remarkable feature of this retreat was the presence in our caravan of some 200 Chinere Roman Catholics. Pere Lamasse of Tiehling had tyken refuge with the Russians and had brought a large part of his congregation with him to 3 house, kindly lent him by the chief engineer, Mr. Kasiguery. For the tight 20 or so small carts hai been secured. A large proportion of the Chinese Christians was composed of women and children. What was to be done? In order to save the Christians, the chief inoer decided to sacrifice half a million roubles (sw 50,000). Carts that otherwise might have been filled with silver were given to the native Christiaus—an example of magnanimity under trying circumstances worthy of the highest praise. The journey was dificult for the poor women. More and more carts were required for the wounded soldiers. After about 9 days, hardly any of this party remained with us. More than once when death stared us in the face, it was a solemn and impressive spectacle to see them kneeling together for along time in prayer, with Pere Lamasse and Pere Villemont standing beside them.
Tu many ways our prayers were heard. Our flight was not in winter. So, while at times food was scarce, still we had enough, though the bread might be stals and the water dirty. And then sleeping in the open on the ground (i.e., when we got time to sleep) was not unpleasant.
During a march of some 600 li, occupying days, we had at least 5 battles, besides attacks averted by the caution of our leaders, of speedily movement of our troops. not contempt for the Chinese soldiery, but care to prevent exposure as fur as possible and thus keep down the number of easualties, combined with swift, snee action when real necessity arose, were the marked characteristics of this skilfully managed retreat through thousands of armed foes. Including the reinforcement which joined us on the way out the highest' total "of regulars was about 350. "There were also perhaps 80 or 100 engineers and railway employees, mounted and carrying arms.
The first fight was on the 2nd day after the start (9th), to tha N.W. of Ki One could see the Chinese swarming on the hill tops in our rear. Their shouting was not nearly so accurate as that of the Russisns. The range might have been 800 to 1,000 yards. A soldier near me was hit in the leg. Only about 3 were wounded on our side. heard from a Chinese source that a comparatively large number of the enemy was killed. Meanwhile the caravan hurried on. When the Cossack rear-guard followed shortly after, the Chinese continued the pursuit for a time, but they allowed us a quiet night at the Russian Settlement of Sahétau.
Next morning we reached Shungmiaotze, the highest station yet reached on the southern section of the line. Lika bad strategists, the Chinese allowed us ample time for -breikfast before thay began ations. I was rudely awakened from doze by the scurrying around me in the backyard. of a native compound. Bullets whizzed in the tall trees overhead. Out rushed hors: ait foot. Soon farmsteadings near at hand were set on tire by our troops, to break the enemy's cover. Beaten in one direction, the Chinese changd their point of attack in such a way that all the vigilance of the defenders was neeld to checkmate them. Towards evening the Russians withdrew to the 3 compounds on the little hill that formed out temporary fortress. Feom roof and mud-wall embrasure the deadly metal of marksmen on the watch proved toy much for Chinese valour. After dark with confused noise of whistling and of many voices they abindonet the attack for the night, With us the day's work had left some 10 wounded men, Another flight. We did not wait for dawn. Softly through a hole in the wall, the file of carts and riders slipped away. But peace was not b> be oar lot. We ha gone some distances when, lo! from the flank and then from ths front came the sound of musketry. At tire, being in an open field, we had but the shelter of growing willet-stalks and ploughed furrows and carts. But by and by we hurried on into the friendly cover of a sandy gully. We waited. Ones more victory gladdoned our hearts. It was said that in ope volly 5 Chinese were killed. If proof were wanting as to the nature of our opponents, we had it that day in the shape of 2 colours that wore taken, the one being an ensign of the Imperial regalac troops and the other having the words, "The Chtuan Yung" (Boxer Braves).
The following day was wearing on men and horses. We started at 12 (midnight) and resting for a good interval in a thicket tomake and eat our meal, we finally drew up at 10 p.m. It was a welcome order that informed us next day we were not to march, Nor was our rest marred by anything more than a skirmish that proved abortive, for the enemy collapsed ut the sight of the Cossacks.
We were drawing newer to Kuanchengtze and we did not know what was ahead. On the next day (14th)asmall reconnoitring party was sent forward to find out. The following day they brought back the disquieting news that the large Russian Settlemeat was in the hands of Chinese soldiers. Along with this grave intelligence, that morning we had the severest fight of any yet. The Chinese had selected their ground well. Houses, trees, and crops sheltered them, while our carts at tone point lad to make a dash across an open space under steady tire, ty reach the cover of aclumnpof trees. Again we halted anxiously awaiting the return of our brave defenders from their charge. 'The crackle of the rifles ceased, but not before our losses reached 3 killed and 5 wounded. On a hillside of waving millet, a goave was dug. A tattered book was' produced and in a solemn, mournful chant the Greek Church Burial Service was conducted by the Cossacks themselves, bringing tears to the eyes and a quiver to the lips of strong, rough men. Led by Pere Lanuasse, the French priest, earth was thrown in by the surrounding group.
'A council of war was held, to consider the route. Vii Kuanchéngtze was impossible. So we gave that city a wide Berth and turned away westward toward Mongolia. Night marches, while they make one sleepy, nevertheless ease the strain under such circumstances. Ani till the 18th, except heavy rain, nothing special' occurred. We were about 50 li from the Sungari River where we hoped our trials would end. Here was the last_ encounter, resulting in 1 Cossack killed. This evening a great cheer arose among the vanguard,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.