Wall destroyed by the Russians after the Boxers got it. This picture gives a good idea of the width of the Great Wall, and looks almost like a field with vegetation growing, and the block-house or fort erected upon it. The method of reaching the top of the wall is shown by the driveway up the side, which it will be observed, is completely commanded by the block-house. This wall extends several thousand miles, and is said to represent the sacrifice of millions of lives, and labor beyond comprehension.] Some of the best work of the Russians was that done in burning many native houses and then pulling down the walls in the Mongol market that concealed sharpshooters of the enemy. Had this not been done, the entire southwestern part of the British legation would have been under a constant sniping fire, such as they really were exposed to during the first few days of the siege, and until the Russians made a dash into the Mongol market, drove out the Chinese, and burned down their cover. The Russians also joined in an unsuccessful sortie, during which an attempt was made to capture a cannon in the Su Wang Fu, but owing to incorrect information as to its whereabouts, the Italian officer commanding led his men in the wrong direction, and after having several men wounded, the party returned without having accomplished anything. In the fortification of their own legation they have been untiring, and besides loop-holing and building barricades, have dug a very deep trench all along inside their west wall, or only exposed side, which effectually prevented underground mines from being undetected. Russian sentries have, all through the siege, been posted on the moat bridge at Legation street, commanding the water-gate under the city wall. Curiously enough, no attack has ever been made from this quarter, yet to a foreigner it appears a most advantageous opening for attack. The Russo-Chinese bank was held by the volunteers as long as it was possible to hold it, but after the Chinese built a high barricade on the wall just over the bank, it grew too hot to hold and had to be evacuated. Mr. Wihlfahrt’s house, directly under the wall, was made a Chinese fort for a while, and the Americans lost several men from snipers posted there, until, finally, a rush was made and the place destroyed. The Russians have several times gone to other places to assist in repelling serious attacks, on one occasion to help Colonel Shiba in holding back the Boxer forces at the Su Wang Fu. On this occasion one man was seriously wounded. Another time they were called to help the German legation. They have always cheerfully rendered any assistance when called upon, and Baron von Rahden, his fellow officers, and all the volunteers are highly thought of by the besieged.