The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-10-14

Special Correspondence Post Infeilieencer
TTENTSIN. China. Sept. 4--Your CORE
spondent had arranged at Peking TO join
this nrst party OF the besieged out and ac-
company them from Tungchow on one Of
the boats rode rapidly With two Chi
nese ponies and my mafoc. ] write the
following from the standpoint OF the be-
siesed after having spent several days
With them
the water route from Picking to Tfen-
tsin covers 1B miles. Tungchow. whore the
boat IL taken, being fifteen miles from
rskinR. There are Ave strongly guarded
places, formerly populous Chinese VII
lagos. along this water route, about
equal distance apart. After Tungchow
Il Matu, Hosiwu, Yangtsen and Peit-
sang. in the order named. Between thess
places Is considerable sharpshootins or
"snipinG'' from the corn and cane fields.
but Chinese craftsmanship II poor and
little damage is done. Occasionally a
soldier n wounded and sometimes killed.
In each Of those places are United States.
British. Sikh. Russian Japanese. Ger
man and French soldiers on guard IL
10 4 spectacle the world has never before
seen, and II naturally occurs 10 one that
here 10 the opportunity for each nation
to take tho measure Of the others az
they never before have had the chance.
when tho exubsranf Soy OF greeting the
relief troops abated and gave place to
simple gratitude. mono the less deep ana
lasting because unspoken. then we be-
ran TO feel restless. The eight weeks
~ slexs found US In a sort OF unnatural
calm; Z wcrn-out, bennmbsd state Of mind
and body from which we we're reused by
the advent Of the allied relief troops on
August "a The troops once settled down
among us. We began to ask: When can
re got away7" Some were stiii vigorous
enough 10 wish TO stay for sightseeing
and loofing. Many Of the hard-worked
missionaries had 10 remain and look
after the poor remnant 90 their native
Christians Tho ministers and few
others stayed behind b&causs on duty;
some wives because husbands could not
leave the scene OF trial and horror. Ar
rangemcnts were soon made and we were
informed through United States Minis.
ter Conger that Gen. Chaffee would send
US 70 Tientsin with q guard OF $50 sol
dlers, Maj. Foote to command the ex.
pedltion We were further Informed that
alI supplies. save milk, would be furnish
81 by tho quartermaster at Tungchow.
ana wore asked TO take the minimum OF
servants. ~ everything, cooking included
would he provided. We were told, how
ever. to take 4 lunch to eat on the way
30 TunEohow. seventeen miles from Pc
king. where We were to take the boat, as
tho Journey would occupy six 10 eight
hours
The Departure.
The hour Of departure was nxed At
a. m. Tuesday. August n. We had been
~ nesviy famished because OF a scarcity
OF all paiatah'e food during tho siege that
we could credit the news that we were
70 have plenty OF army stores provided
Thsrefore a gentleman OF great promi-
nencs during the Siege took half day to
visit tho chief officers In command OF the
united States forces. ana was assured
nnd treasured that things would be as
first promise6.s Then, feeling quite secure
on the point, we packed the few garments
that remained iHonr possession. prepared
a scanty lunch. Of brown bread and Jelly
principally, and August n. at ESQ a. M,
we, numbering forty In all. assembled In
the United states legation courtyard and
awaited the start.
There were others IN the party, inciud-
ing tho Ambulance OF sick and convai-
escent soldiers who were 20 be removed
TO Tientrin 20 the hospital there. Half
past found the last unfortunate loaded
upon his boxes In the back end Of a hugo
army wagon drawn by four mules We
had hidden gSod-by 10 Picking and Mrs
conser ana friends who had gathered to
soc us on. but many followed us outside
the legation gate and waved until We
could no longer see them. Our good
old cook We had dressed In foreign
clothes 70 prevent his being murdered
hy tho Russian and French soldiers. who
found enjoyment In shooting friendly
coolies and helpless wemen and children.
Our cook followed us on HORSEBACK for
some distance and as we bumped over
the rough street ] spied nv smah stand.
Ins waiting BY the roadside. tears streams