The condition of the country is becoming more hopeful. The fight last month proves to have been a more terrible blow that at first appeared, "Many of the Boxers escaped, but of these not a few were wounded, and ten or more have since died. Of those captured, an examination showed that fully half came from a district more than forty miles to the east, the band growing rapidly as it went from one county to another.
Some notable features of the persecution are coming to light, Thus the Roman Catholics were harried severely in the prefecture of Tungch'ing, one priest asserting that over 120 chapels had been destroyed, Finding the magistrates would do nothing, the foreign priests bought arms for the Christians. tu several places they stood off the Boxers, and in one instance pursued their assailants so vigorously that they throw away their weapons in their flight. A list of this band was picked up, and it is now reported that good use is being made of this list, men of substance being pressed to contribute liberally to make up the losses of the R.C.'s under penalty of having the said list sent in to the magistrates. Another story is to the effect that the profect Hung recently captured. an armed Boxer. 'I understand," said Mr. Hung, "that you Boxers elaim'to be invulnerable to ay blow by a sword, is that so?" The man acknowledged the statement. have here," continued the prefect, sword which I should like to try on you, to ascertain whether your claim is a true one; "re you willing?" The Boxer assented, and soon there was a headless Chinaman beside the highway,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.