48 SIAN-FU, THE MAGNIFICENT 



escaping. I have heard that a great many of the 

 Manchus, especially the women, took their own 

 lives. 



" At a low estimate probably 10,000 have been 

 killed. The Chinese have received comparatively 

 few injuries, which is not surprising in view of 

 their superior weapons. There are many Manchus 

 in hiding, and we know of the safety of all Manchu 

 Christians." 



I quote the following account of the death of 

 the Swedish missionaries from a letter written last 

 November by Dr. Robertson, whom we had the 

 pleasure of meeting. 



The house where Mr. Beckman lived was 

 situated outside the wall of the south suburb, 

 had a large garden front and back, and was sur- 

 rounded by a fairly high wall. 



" About midnight (Sunday) they were attacked 

 by a band of robbers and bad characters of the 

 neighbourhood. All the servants fled, and in 

 doing so removed the ladder which had been 

 placed ready against the wall in case flight should 

 become necessary. The mission party had there- 

 fore to use a barrow, and Mr. Watney got over 

 first ; one child of twelve was handed over to 

 him. As soon as they were over Mr. Beckman 

 called to them, but had no reply, and he gathered 

 that Mr. Watney and the child who was Mr. 

 Beekman's daughter had had to run. It after- 

 wards appeared that Mr. Watney and his little 

 companion ran for about six miles, but were then 

 overtaken and done to death. 



" Mr. Beckman, his wife, a little baby, and a 

 little girl of seven, with the rest of the children, 

 then took refuge in a little outhouse. Presently 



