The Savannah morning news., 1901-07-28

SAAiNS AOoAo WdS on no account TO
fall to take the Princess Loo-Lao to the
shelter of the American Legation. But
alas, when the prince came not, and
the time was spent there We're Boxers
lurking out in the street and I even
saw several admitted to the courtyard
by traitors within. 1 FASTENED to the
apartments of the Princess, and the
way was mockingly barred to me by
my fellow-servants. Then, having es-
capped from the palace, was pursued
and wounded as I fed thither to appeal
for help. Let me not ask it in vain,
honored sir"
Tai Ling's excited speech suggested a
deep-laid plot against Prince Ian and
his daughter and that the tale was a
truthful one Alec did not doubt. He
alone of those present spoke the native
tongue fluently. and in a few words he
made the situation clear to his COM
panions.
II fear we can do nothing" said
Lieut.. Blount, young English officer
who had just come upon the scene. 1T
would be rushing to certain death-you
can see and hear for yourselves" He
pointed in the direction of Prince Lan's
palace, where the sky was lurid with
f1ame-shot smoke, while yells of rage
told that the Boxers were still search
ing for victims.
at will soon be too late" cried Tai
Ling. us my cherished mistress to be
carried off by these evil dogs? viii
none lift a hand to save herr"
who will help me to rescue the
girl?" cried Alec, vowing that no harm
should befall her if he could prevent
it. who volunteers ?"
Dan was the first to respond and
the others cried out in chorus; there
was not a dissentient voice
You're plucky lot" declared Lieut.
Blount. "By Jove, I'll go with you
though the whole thing is against or
ders. Come along, my brave chaps
There is not a moment to lose"
With no thought but for the imperil-
ed girl who was at the mercy of the
designing Boxers, needless of the raw
ening foe who swarmed outside of the
legation quarter, the gallant little band
of thirteen sped across the Mongo
market at the heels of Tai Ling, who
had been armed with a cutlass. And
as they disappeared in the darkness
enviously gazed after by Cocket and
Killemoff, running, breathless figure
approached the two sentries. 1t was
the faithful Kin Soon, who had recog-
nized AIec's voice from a distance.
Where is my young master?" he
cried.
eff 'e's with that lot yonder," re-
piled Cocket, les gone a rescuin' oil
the Princess Lu LULU, or wotever 'eI
name it,"
1T must follow him. Let me pass"
mo you don't" forbade Cocket.
ERE, none of your games. Back
you go, Pigtail, or I'll give you taste
of cold steel. Ear me?"
And poor Kin Soon, after threats
strategy and entreaties had alike fail
ed him, was obliged to abandon his de-
sire. He retreated slowly, with tears
in his eyes and his heart swollen with
wrath and sorrow.
Meanwhile Tai Ling led the way
| shrewdly, by the safest, if not the near
| est, route, and as he and his compan-
| ions hurried on 1t became evident that
| the space between them and Prince
Lan's residence was for the moment
comparatively free from rebels The
| murderous clamor was still at a dis
| lance.
TT looks as if we might pull the
thing off," Lieutenant Blount declared
hopefully. Faster men,"
Dan, I'm sorry you came" Alec said
as he uneasily remembered the respon-
sibility he had incurred by calling for
volunteers. Its dangerous business
| Go back, for your mothers sake"
ANOI IL L hllON IL LAM CPiiCA az
| dignantly. do you want to brand me
as a coward?"
There was no answer to this question
and the lads went on in silence. The
| glare from a distant burning building
was reflected on the rescue party, as
they dashed through a street to tn;
| eastward of the Mongol Market, and
| then, wheeling sharply round a corner
they saw the Purple Palace directly in
| front of them. So far they had ad-
| vanced unseen, but now discovery and
| fighting were inevitable, for by the
| open gateway were massed at least
| two score of Boxers-the genuine type
| of fanatics, with consecrated head
| pieces and red sashes, wearing tails
mans of yellow paper to render them
Vulnerable to bullets.
Give them a volley at close quar-
| ters," ordered Lieutenant Blount, land
| then let them have the cold steel. That
| ought to clear the way for u.s.
Even as he spoke and before the ''for-
| eign devils had been seen, a strange
| panic seized the Boxers. With warning
| cries they bolted into the courtyard
and closed the gates. Surprising them
selves to be the cause of the fright, the
lieutenants party ran forward tc
storm the main entrance, and, as they
|
see advancing quickly toward them
from the direction of the Imperial
Board of Office, a body of Chinese sol
diers. They were regular, uniformed
troops, led by an officer in Mandarin
hat.
Lieut.. Blount babe his men keeI
cool and hold their ground. He die
not like the situation, but he had hopes
since he supposed the newcomers tc
be on a similar errand-that troubk
could be averted.
you must explain to these chap:
that we want to help them to rescue
| the princess" he said to Alec. "Bu'
first ask your heather friend IL ht
thinks it will be all right"
| However. Tai Ling did not wait fol
| the question to be put.
"All is lost" he cried. 1.-THE Impe.
rial soldiers also are seeking to carry
off my young mistress"
but the Boxers have fed from then
in terror" exclaimed Alec. What doe!
it mean. Tai Ling?"
AS he spoke a shrill word of com
mand rang out and the front rank Of
the Chinese troops suddenly leveleC
|