a suddenly swept over me. We had had too much of
it; I was tired and weary of it all. It was mean and miserable after
the great anti-climax. It was like coming back to a soiled dungeon.

We picked our way right through where two days before no vehicles
could have passed, and I stabled all the animals and carts, and handed
them over to where they were needed. Then I ordered that our captured
things, our weapons, and my few last belongings should be loaded into
one remaining cart, and ordering my men to follow, without a word of
explanation I started off again. I had made up my mind.

We passed rapidly enough out and again sped in the blackening night
down the long street just as we had returned. Almost too soon we
reached that great gate on the corner to find it barred and bolted.
Somehow my heart sank within me at this; was it too late?

But there were cries and a confusion of voices. Somebody peered
through. Then there was delight. The gate was unbarred by weak women's
hands, and the soft Manchu voice which had first begged me to stop was
speaking to me again....

Inside I found the courtyards and the lines of rooms which fronted
each square were immense and furnished with richly carved woodwork; it
was a rich house, and there was a profusion of everything which could
be wanted--only no men! We securely bolted and barred the main gate,
and for safety loopholed a little, because that is an art in which we
had become adepts. Then, with candles murkily shedding their light, I
explored every nook and corner to guard against surprise, always with
that soft voice explaining to me. It was very quiet and soft with that
atmosphere around; it was like a narcotic when a roar of fever still
hangs in one's ears. I became more and more content. After all, we had
become abnormals; a shade more or less could make no difference....
That night was a pleasant dream....

III

THE SACK CONTINUES

August, 1900.

* * * * *

To rediscover the ease and luxury of lying down, not brute-like, but
man-like, seemed to me an immense thing. I had had my first night's
sleep on a bed for nearly three months, and I wished never to rise
again. I wished to be immensely lazy for a long period--not to have to
move or think or act. But that could not be. All sorts of marauders
were sweeping the city and working their wills in a hundred different
ways. Half a dozen times, as soon as daylight had come, shots ha