AN EXCITING EXPERIENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2429, 3 October 1900, Page 29

AN EXCITING EXPERIENCE.

Mr Robert Tc-rris, who hails from Ashburiton, but who has been engaged in the railway service between Tientsin and Peking for some •ten years, returned to Ashburton on Saturtlay week. In the course of an interview with a representative of the Ashburton Ulail, he mentioned an exciting experience he had .while going from Tientsin to Tongu. The ißritish authorities sent a small steamer up the river Peiho from Tongu to Tientsin to itake away the refugees, and almost immediately the vessel became packed with Chinese, but when the captain came on boatd lie stopped the Chinese men, allowing the (women and children only on board. During this time bullets and shells were flying from ■•the Chinese forbs on the south side of the liver across to Tientsin on the north. As some delay occurred in getting the steamer 3off, Mr Terris ultimately started down the =Peiho for Tongu in the customs launch carrying despatches, eight Etiropeans all told being on board — three British bluejackets, two '3Tren.ch officers, the pilot, and two civilians, and they succeeded in getting some distance down the river when the boat ran aground and stuck there, and they could not get her off iby any means. Two of the party endeavoured ito strike a bargain with some of the Boxers ion the riverbank, and offered lliem 50 dollars for a rope and help to haul the launch off. They brought shovels and spades, bui, made no attempt to help, and eventually went away ■/giving the reassuring information that at 7 o'clock precisely that evening they were com.ing back to kill all on board and set Ere to jthe launch. A consultation was held on board ./and although the bluejackets were inclined ,to stick by their boat, it was ultimately decided that they should all clear out, and taking all the arms procurable the party made for the xiverbank, without waiting for the evening entertainment. "Ultimately they got to a email railway station where about 500 Russians were located, who gave them some food, and allowed them to lie on the floor of the .■waiting room all night. Mr Terris hetfrd the guns banging away at Tientsin, and fire and .smoke prevailed all over the country. The gave a guard of ten Cos.=acks to accompany the party to Tongu, and after aiumerous hardships and perils from the great heat, blistered feet, want of water, etc., •they ultimately arrived at their destination, although part of the way one man had to be carried by the Cossack?. Mr Terris went to Chefoo, and on returning to Tieni-in soon afterwards found matiers quiet and all the Chinese cleared out of the native town, which was in ruins. The railway lino and buildings 3iad been destroyed, and the Boxers had collected the cars and carriages at one point, and bringing the engines close up, not only burnt the carriages, but also rendered the engines u?eleE=, nothing rcmiining but wheels and other iron work. Mr Terris sayo he has no intention of returning to China.