In the story are related, first, the bombardment of the Taku forts and the capturing of Taku and Tongku; next the history of the ill-fated expedition under Vice-Admiral Seymour, R.N., to relieve Pekin, and the bombardment and capture of Tien-Tsin; and, lastly, that bold dash of the Internationals for Pekin and the relief of the consuls, missionaries, and other foreigners who had been besieged for fifty-six days. It may be that some of my readers will think Gilbert Pennington an unusually clever officer, and one quite young to be occupying the position of lieutenant of the regulars. But it must be remembered that Gilbert had served in Cuba with the Rough Riders, and in the Philippines under General MacArthur and General Lawton, and that he took to army service as naturally as a duck takes to water. He was one of those soldiers of whom Grant declared, “They are born, those fellows, not made.” The campaign in China has been as short as it was brilliant; and, with Earl Li Hung Chang and others empowered to treat for peace upon almost any terms, it is to be hoped that a permanent settlement will be made, which will insure both foreigners and China against all further trouble. War, at its best, is a terrible thing; and the less our country has of it, the better it will be for our people. Once more thanking my young friends for the interest they have shown in my previous stories, I place this volume in their hands, trusting they will find its perusal both pleasurable and full of profit. EDWARD STRATEMEYER. NEWARK, N.J., OCT. 4, 1900. CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I. INTRODUCING THE YOUNG LIEUTENANT 1 II. CLOSE QUARTERS IN THE JUNGLE 10 III. SOMETHING ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF CHINA 20 IV. CAPTAIN PONSBERRY HAS HIS SAY 31 V. GILBERT MEETS NUGGY POLK 41 VI. OFF FOR CHINA 51 VII. WHAT CAUSED THE WAR 60 VIII. A DISCOVERY ON SHIPBOARD 70 IX. GILBERT REACHES A CONCLUSION 80 X. ABOUT AN IMPORTANT LETTER 92 XI. THE RELIEF OF ADMIRAL SEYMOUR’S PARTY 102 XII. A STORM AND A QUARREL 112 XIII. THE LANDING AT TONGKU 123 XIV. A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL 133 XV. FIGHTING ALONG THE PEI-HO 144 XVI. ENTERING TIEN-TSIN UNDER DIFFICULTIES 154 XVII. GILBERT MEETS AMOS BARTLETT 164 XVIII. THE SPY IN THE RIVER 174 XIX. SAVING THE MISSION HOUSE 187 XX. THE BOMBARDMENT OF TIEN-TSIN 198 XXI. CHARGING UPON THE NATIVE QUARTER 210 XXII. AN ADVENTURE IN A JOSS HOUSE 220