However, by a wonderful dispensation of a most merciful Providence, about a fortnight ago, just when things were looking particularly "blue," when our best men wera being killed and wounded, and we were almost afraid that we would have to abandon a most important position, which was living most pluckily held by the Japs principally, all the bring suddenly ceased, we received tender messages from the Tsungli Yamen inquiring after our health and welfare, and stating that they hoped to check the attacks which the "lawless robbers and bandits" were making upon uy, etc:, and since then we have been enjoying comparative peace, with th ception of occasional night attacks, though of course the siege is us strict as ever, and beth sides are working away as hard as they can on the fortifications.
You must understand that, in spite of all the protestations of the Yamen to the con trary, the people who are attacking us are {Imperial Chinese troops, acting" un'ler orders from the Government, and the Boxers, who are now openly recognised an supported by the Government as a sort of militia, Ihe sungli Yamen protes's that the attackers ara outlaws and bandits, knowing all the time that we know that they are regular Government troops, com manded by high princes and officials, and, f this wer- not enough in itself, we have messengers and spies, to get hold of most of the recent issues of the stticil Po ing Guz: tte," which pub ishes all the Imperial edicts, and in it are many ts encomnging and rewarding the diers and Box-rs who are trying to got otus. But of this more liter on.
have good reason to believe that there is a large relief force now on its way up to us, and whit we chiefly fear is a final determined attempt to soupper" us when that force gets near,. I sincerely hope this may not happen. I ain sick xnd tired of war and its horrors, and as I got two bullets through me on July Land have been laid up ever since, I have to be still and do nothing when there is fighting going on all xround, which is simply terrible.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.