Mr. H. G. Squiers, who was elected by Sir Claude MacDonald as his chief of staff, and second in command after the death of Captain Strouts, has been indefatigable in his service, not only at the American legation, but in general oversight of the situation at all points. That the United States government will recognize his unusual ability by a promotion in the diplomatic service, for which he is so well fitted, and to which he has devoted his talents, is sincerely hoped. He it was who conceived the plan of occupying the city wall and insisted on its being regained when abandoned. This, as a key to the whole position, was recognized in its full importance by Mr. Squiers. He, too, with Captain Wroublevsky, forced a way down the wall to the Chien Men, and let in the first Sikhs that came through the gate. CHAPTER VIII _WORK DONE BY STAFF OF IMPERIAL MARITIME, CUSTOMS, AND BRITISH LEGATION STAFF_ [Illustration: TYPICAL CHINESE LION As represented by them. One of a pair guarding a temple entrance.] AT THE same time that the tsung-li-yamen sent dispatches to each of the foreign ministers requesting them to leave Peking within twenty-four hours, they sent a communication to Sir Robert Hart, Bart., inspector-general of customs, notifying him of their communication to the ministers. One would have supposed that the customs staff, being employed by the government to collect their own revenues, would have either been given a place of safety and separated from the foreigners who were to be attacked and exterminated, or their safe escort out of the country guaranteed. This should also have applied to the staff of the Imperial University, but beyond a simple notification to Sir Robert Hart, no further account was taken of them, and they were left to seek either the protection of their respective legations, or remain together in the offices of the inspector-general, where all had gathered upon the entrance of the Boxers into Peking, and attempt to defend their lives and those of their families as best they might. As the Austrians had been driven out of their legation before any of the others had yielded, and as their compound overlooked and commanded the inspectorate-general compound, however, that place had become untenable by June 20, and Sir Robert Hart reluctantly retired with all his staff and their families to a building allotted to them in the British legation. This building is situated just within the main gate of the legation, north of and adjoining the gate-house, and consists of three fair-sized and three small rooms, with an out-house kitchen.