He was one of the most promising of the younger members of the British consular service, with which he was further connected in the person of his uncle, Mr. R. M. Mansfield, H. B. M. consul at Amoy. During his stay in Peking, David Oliphant had endeared himself to all who knew his exceptionally even temper, readiness to oblige, and active mind. In sport he was the leading spirit and manager, and he will be practically impossible to replace in this capacity. When the siege began he was among the first to go forward in the defense of the legations. Untiringly he worked at fortifications, vigilantly he watched at night. When a portion of the Hanlin Yuan was occupied he was specially detailed for service there, and took part in several brilliant raids in connection with the occupation. It was while cutting down a tree here in an advanced position that he was struck down by the enemy’s bullet, and his promising career cut short. He died in the arms of his elder brother, Nigel Oliphant, of the Imperial Bank of China. He is deeply and sincerely mourned by all who knew him. Another young man, Mr. H. Warren, student-interpreter, while on duty in the Su Wang Fu, on July 16, was struck by a shell in the face; he was very badly injured and died in a few hours. CHAPTER IX _WORK DONE BY AUSTRO-HUNGARIANS—MR. AND MRS. CHAMOT_ [Illustration: August F. Chamot] THE Austro-Hungarian detachment consisted of thirty bluejackets from the cruiser Zenta. They arrived in Peking on June 3 by the last train, together with the German detachment. Lieutenant T. Kollar was in command, with Midshipman Baron R. Boyneburg von Lengsfeld and T. Mayer. With the detachment arrived also Captain Thomann von Montalmar and Lieutenant Ritter von Winterhalter, so that there were five officers and thirty men at Peking. When communication was cut Captain Montalmar took command himself. In the legation there were only Dr. A. von Rosthorn and Mrs. von Rosthorn, the minister having left on leave in April and Vice-consul Natiesta being sick at Shanghai. His successor, Mr. Gottwald, tried to come up in the relief expedition under Admiral Seymour. The detachment guarded also the Belgian legation until the Belgian minister left there, and came to the Austrian legation on June 16. On June 13, a Boxer attack on the new mint and the Imperial Bank of China was checked by rifle-fire from the east corner of the legation. A second attack was made at night and was also repulsed. During the search following the unsuccessful attack, several Boxers were killed a few hundred yards to the north on Customs street. The next day the traffic on the Chang An street crossing Customs street was stopped by an outpost, and later on by a wire fence, in order to prevent the smuggling of disguised Boxers into the legation quarter.