The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-10-12
STORY TOLD AGAIN.
Miss Cecile Payen, Who Was One Of
the Prisoners in Pekin, Relates
Her Experiences-Traveling
in Ten-Tsin by River.

BY Exclusive Wire from The Associated Press.
Chicago, Oct. 11.-Miss Cecile Payen,
who was one of the six American wo-
men among the foreigners imprisoned
by the Boxers in the legations at
Pekin. returned to Chicago yesterday
morning. She brought with her a
number of cleverly executed sketches
In water colors and pencil, which she
made during the terrible days of the
siege.
ut was terrible time" said Miss
Payen. "but really think that I was
more utterly miserable after we' had
been rescued and were on our way
from Pekin to Tian Tsin. Twelve
wagon loads of people left Pekin un-
der heavy escort at 5 o'clock on the
morning Of the 21st. and reached
Tungcho, where we were to start down
the river in boats, about 8 that after
noon. But when we got there we
found that the Japanese had, on their
way toward Pekin, taken all of the
best boats, and there was nothing
left but lot of open freight boats,
such as are used for carrying rice to
market. These were slightly improved
by roofing them over with mating.
using the mast. which was taken down
for the purpose, as a ridge-pole.
"Under this roofing We lived, slept
and ate for five days, that were the
most distressing ones Of my whole ex-
perience. The very first night rain
poured in torrents, and every one of
us got soaking wet. We had no means
of changing, SO there was nothing to
do but let our clothing dry on us.
added to this discomfort was the
constant apprehension that we might
be fired upon by the natives along the
banks, which were thickly fringed
with vegetation and which would have
afforded excellent cover. But I sup
pose the relief party had taught the
natives along the river a pretty severe
lesson, for We were not molested.
1--WE had nothing to eat but hard
tack, bacon and very small guam
tity of canned beans. But when we
reached Tien Tsin it was very differ
ent. The British there made us more
comfortable. and treated us with a
degree of kindness l shall never for
get.
During the siege in Pekin the hard
est thing to bear was our inability to
communicate with our friends and
relatives at home. IT was dreadful to
think of their suspense, and I think
that this one thing caused me more
suffering than anything else. TO keep
up courage we made an effort to con-
time the little social gatherings that
made the evenings pass so pleasantly,
and we We're really quite successful.
Frequently we would gather in the
tennis court, which was in the very
center of the British legation. and
sing. After while the Chinese To-
Gated the music ana then, whenever
they heard us singing they would be-
gin firing into the court. Then you
should have seen us hugging the walls
as we slurried to less exposed quar-
ters.
silence the fire? 1t was remarkable,
but every time the Chinese heard the
ringing Of a big bell that was used to
call the men to arms they would stop
firing almost instantly: I cannot speak
too warmly of the conduct of the men.
Every one of them was splendidly
brave.
= And how glad we were to hear the
firing of the relief party. They had a
Colt gun. which. l was told, could
be heard at distance of ten miles,
and we heard it early in the morning
of the 14th, long before they entered
the city. The scene of their entrance
was simply indescribnble. I guess we
behaved like crazy people.
I'VE remained in Pekln eight days
after the allies entered the city. AS
we left the city the allies We're storm
ing the third gate. There are. you
4. 1NNf~