not dare to perpetrate the wholesale executions they had done at Canton from fear of the foreign forces in China. Moreover, he explained to him the small chance of success the garrison had against the disciplined corps, and that his cause was about lost. Na Wang, in reply, said he had every confidence in the honour of his noble foreign adversary, but he had not much faith in the promises of the mandarins. However, he would see General Ching, and if he showed the same clemency the garrison would surrender.

I was present during this interview, which took place in a vacated stockade outside the walls, and after it was over took the opportunity of making some inquiries concerning the mandarin's daughter. I had previously questioned some of the foreigners who had left the city, whether there were any Chinese ladies arrived lately from Nanking, to which they replied in the affirmative; and one who had been on intimate terms with the chiefs informed me of one whom they considered the beauty of Soochow, but he did not know her name, only that she was residing with the Mo Wang's family. Following up this, I asked some other questions, which elicited the information that he saw her on her arrival at Soochow with five other ladies, under the escort of Foong Cut-sing, the emissary, whom he knew personally. All this was verified by Na Wang, who told me her name was Loo A-Lee.

"Is she under safe protection?" I anxiously enquired.

"She is at present," replied Na Wang; "but that may not be for long, as the whole household of the Mo Wang might be endangered if he does not agree to surrender. In that case it is probable that he may be made prisoner, and his palace be given up to plunder, when the female inmates will be subjected to the insults of the soldiery."

T

INFORMATION ABOUT LOO A-LEE.

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"This alarms me greatly," I remarked in an agitated voice.

"Now, honourable sir," I said, "I know who that lady is. I take great interest in her, and would protect her from all harm. If you can aid me in doing so, I shall be much beholden to you, and may do good to you in return if you will undertake to deliver this missive to her."

Saying this, I tore a leaf out of my note book, on which I wrote my name, and a few words informing her that her father was safe, while I was at hand to succour should misfortune befall her.

Soochow in a state of anarchy.-The Mo Wang refuses to surrender.A-Lee implores him to do so.-He refuses and goes to the Council of War. He is assassinated by a colleague.-Cut-sing rushes to his palace and tells the tale.-A-Lee joyfully receives a letter from me.— Cut-sing avows his intention of seizing her as his prize. She repels his advances. She is saved by my entrance at the head of my company of disciplined men.-Our happy re-union.-Foong Cut-sing made prisoner.

NSIDE the city of Soochow a state of anarchy prevailed. There was not only a division in the council of the Taiping chiefs, but their followers

were divided into old adherents, chiefly southern men, and new recruits from the north. The former were resolved to hold out to the last, and the latter were anxious to surrender. They were altogether about thirty thousand strong, the greater number being in favour of capitulation. The minority, under the leadership of the Mo Wang, vehemently cried "No surrender!"

It may be supposed that the household of that chief, including A-Lee, was, under the circumstances, in a state of fear and tribulation. In vain did the ladies try to persuade him to agree with his colleagues to yield up the city and save it from the horrors of bloodshed and famine.

"Why should I yield ?" he exclaimed; "are not my men

A-LEE COUNSELS THE MO WANG TO SURRENDER. 299

braver and more numerous than the enemy? We can not only defend the city, but rush out of the gates and drive them before us into the sea. Besides, here I have you, my family, and all my property, and even if we were permitted to leave and dwell somewhere in safety, we would be beggars and outcasts the rest of our days. Better to die here than starve elsewhere!"

"But oh your excellency," interposed A-Lee, pleading with him against what she thought a desperate resolution, in the name of her companions, "what then would become of your wife and daughters, if you, their protector, were gone? I have a father who has perhaps fallen in sacrifice in your cause, and but for your kind protection I should now have been destitute. Consider this matter, and if you can make an honourable surrender, then may you, your family and home, continue to be safe. You tell us that there is a foreign general of great renown in command of the victorious army, and that he will see to the safety of those who return to their allegiance. If so, I know these brave strangers to be true to their word, and men who would protect the poorest woman or child from harm.”

"I know that, my child," he continued, in a calmer tone of voice; "and if I had only the foreign general to treat with, I would order my men to cut their long hair at once, and wear white turbans, in token of submission. But I have to deal also with treacherous mandarins, who will promise any terms so as to get me into their power, and then they would have no mercy upon me. I am now going to the grand council, where this question is to be decided, and will try to bring over the majority of chiefs to my views."

After saying this he quitted the females' apartments, and in

a commanding voice called on Foong Cut-sing to see that his trusty body-guard were in attendance to escort him to the council-chamber. The emissary promptly executed his orders, and the party, all mounted and well armed, sallied forth from the Mo Wang's palace.

The female inmates remained in great suspense for the return of their lord and master. They had no apprehension of danger to his person as long as he remained within the city walls. But he was a man of so courageous a disposition that they were afraid he would make an attempt to break through the enemy's lines outside and perish in the fight. Already several sorties had been made from the gates, in which he had taken part, but they were driven back with great loss. On the last of these occasions it was the intention of his colleagues that when he was outside they would close the gate of the city and prevent his re-entering, so that they might have their own way in treating for a capitulation, while he was to be made a prisoner by the disciplined corps. This treacherous plan was frustrated by a skilful retreat with his men through the gate before the other Wangs had time themselves to get in.

While the members of the household were discussing these matters, Foong Cut-sing suddenly rushed in amongst them with looks expressive of fear and alarm.

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All is lost!" he cried, in a voice of terror that pierced the hearts of his timid hearers; "the Mo Wang has been assassinated!"

"Ah, woe is me!" uttered his disconsolate wife, in tones of anguish. "I dreaded this. How did it happen, and who did the accursed deed?"

"All the chiefs were assembled in the council-hall with their robes of office on; five Wangs as grand councillors,