desperadoes stripped to the waist and glistening in their sweat; to
give echo to the blood-curdling notes of Chinese trumpets; to limn the
tall mountains of flames licking sky high. If there is failure in
these efforts, it is due to the editing.

The summer of 1900 in Peking will ever remain as famous in the annals
of the world's history as the Indian Mutiny; it was something unique
and unparalleled. With the curious movements now at work in the Far
East, it may not be unwise to study the story again. And after Port
Arthur these pages may show something about which little has been
written--the psychology of the seige. The seige is still the rudest
test in the world. It is well to know it.

B. L. PUTNAM WEALE.

CHINA, June, 1906.




INDISCREET LETTERS FROM PEKING

PART I--THE WARNING

I

FRAGMENTS


12th May, 1900.