The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-07-11
CAPTIVE IN PEKIN, 1860.
Narrative of the Late Sir H. Parkes.
1New York Post l

New York Post.
 On Sunday night we persuaded Sir Harry to give us the history of his cap- tivity in Pekin. He said The Chinese showing desire to treat, was sent by Lord Elgin to meet three Chinese pleni- potentlaries at Tungchow, place about twelve miles distant from Pekin. We talked over the matter very amicably :; several notifications were suggested on either side, and an agreement was drawn up, with which returned to Lord Elgin and which seemed to him so satisfactory that 1 was empowered to go back and conclude the same on the following day This time, however, found the tone of the Chinese commissioners altogether changed. They suggested difficulties, made all sorts of objections, and, in short, contrived so many troublesome delays that our conference, which began at noon, was not ended until after dark. Then dispatches had to be written and sent of first to Lord Elgin and then to my mili- tary chief, Sir Hope Grant It had been agreed (as one of the preliminaries) that he should advance the next day with the English troops to a certain point five miles distant from Pekin, where they were to take up their grounds, but not to approach nearer that city. By the time had done writing it was between three and four o'clock in the morning It was most important l should be early on the ground, 90 that no possible mis- understanding might arise, and was so deadly tired that positively dare not lie down for fear that would oversleep my self. Thus, by way of keeping awake, determined to mount my horse and ride out to inspect the place where our sol- diers were to encamp; and while cross ing the hve-mile plain, mysterious sounds of uampling feet began to attract my at- tention, and l gradually became aware that there were evidently large masses of troops moving toward that very spot. It was difficult through the darkness to make them out or discover which were their leaders, but spoke to some here and there and could obtain no satisfac- tory replies. Convinced that there was some treachery abroad, turned back to Tungchow, and presently as the day be- gan to dawn, perceived that the plain, where on yesterday not Q human soul could be seen, was now alive with thou sands of people, armed, and all hasten ing in the same direction.
 "As l neared the city met my friend Mir. Loch. And here 1 should explain that there are always, on these occasions, number of would-be sight-seers and volunteers. On the occasion of my first visit had refused to take any one with me, but this second time they had been particularly urgent. It's all right We are going to have peace if what you say is true. There can be no possible dan ger.' So suffered myself, unfortunately to be over-persuaded, and Mir. Loch, Captain Brabazon and friend, two French, men, several newspaper correspondents and otter to the number of twenty or twenty-three accompanied me 1 now begged Mir. Loch to ride after the last or derly had dispatched to Sir H. Grant and try to overta<e him but at all events to see the general, and warn him that there was treachery intended. Tell him. said I, not to believe a word of what have written, but to come pre- pared to fight. l meantime will try to collect our party, for 90 soon as there is light enough for our enemies to see us, depend upon it, our lives will be in dan ger.' Loch galloped of, and went to hunt up my volunteers, but they were all dispersed-curiosity hun,ing-and more than an hour was lost before they could be got together.
 sThen it occurred to me before return ing to Lord Elgin ought, if possible, to discover the cause of this sudden change of policy, and hearing that an official of high rank was directing the movements of the troops beyond the town, rode of to see him and try to obtain some expla- nation. None, however, could procure. A fe~ scofing and evasive words, that was all. Then bethought me of the three commissioners, and rode back once more to the town. They had left and were already on their way to Pekin. l hastened after and oversook them but in