use and were resting on the upper porch when suddenly,
far down the river, we saw the glint of rifle barrels in the sunlight, and
with field glasses made out a long line of khaki-clad men winding along the
shore trail. At the same time two huge boats filled with soldiers came into
view heading for the water gate of the city. These were undoubtedly the
Northern troops from Foochow who were expected Monday night.

Even as we looked there came a sudden roar of musketry and a cloud of smoke
drifted up from the barracks right below us--then a rattling fusillade of
shots. We could see soldiers running along the walls firing at men below
and often in our direction. Bullets hummed in the air like angry bees and
we rushed for cover, but in a few moments the firing ceased as suddenly as
it began.

We were at a loss to know what it all meant and why the troops were firing
upon the Northern soldiers whom they wished to placate. It was still a
mystery when we sat down to dinner at half past seven, but a few minutes
later Mr. Bankhardt rushed in saying that he had just received a note from
the _tao-tai_. The mandarin's personal servant had brought word that the
Northern soldiers, who had just entered the city, were going to kill him
and he begged the missionaries for assistance. Bankhardt also told us of
the latest developments in the situation. It seems that the city soldiers
supposed the Northern troops to be brigands and had fired upon them and
killed several before they discovered their mistake. A very delicate
situation had thus been precipitated, for the Northern commander believed
that it was treachery and intended to attack the barracks in the morning
and kill every man whom he found with a rifle, as well as all the city
officials.

The story of the way in which the missionaries acted as peacemakers, saved
the _tao-tai_, and prevented the slaughter which surely would have taken
place in the morning, is too long to be told here, for it was accomplished
only after hours of the talk and "face saving" so dear to the heart of the
Oriental. Suffice it to say that through the exercise of great tact and a
thorough understanding of the Chinese character they were able to settle
the matter without bloodshed.

The following day twenty brigands were given a so-called trial, marched off
to the west gate, beheaded amid great enthusiasm, and the incident was
closed. In the afternoon a messenger called and delivered to each of us an
offic