Wicked Wong and His Bandits From Our Own Correspondent, Pakhoi, Oct. 25.
The recently dug trenches that surrounded Pakhoi received their baptism of fire on the evening of j the 20th instant. The attack lasted, more or less spasmodically, until the next morning.
The attacking party were ao mixture of all the robber bands that have been terrorizing the district for the last 18 months or more. The leader is Wong Ming-tong. The present motive is to secure the revenues of Pakhoi, and as much cash as can possibly be secured in other ways. The revenues include the gambling monopoly, which is worth some $4,000 per month, also the likin and other taxes. The defence party consisted of the local volunteers, the naval force under Li Ku-man, and some 60 men sent by the Defence General of Liemchow, Luk Lan-tsing. It is freely stated that the latter body were the only people who made any real attempt to defend the place, the other troops having agreed to "aim high," and to surrender when sufficient "face" had been saved. The casualties numbered four killed and 12 wounded.
The Chief of Police disappeared for the third (and apparently the last) time, and the police force has been absorbed by the victors. The naval officer, his men and gunboats have also' disappeared. Immediately on entering the town Yang Ming-tong issued a proclamation claiming official position, and g the people not to fear. He left his card at the British Consulate—the Consul still being at Kiungchow (Hainan).
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.