120 



THE TAOUTAE. 



Chap. VII. 



The division which marched to the Taoutae's 

 was equally successful, and met with no resistance. 

 Report says this officer — who was the highest in 

 Shanghae — behaved very bravely on this trying 

 occasion. Having been informed of the intended 

 attack a minute or two before it took place, he 

 dressed himself in his official robes and came out 

 to meet the rebels. Most of his attendants had 

 fled, and, seeing that the few men who remained 

 true were a very unequal match for the rebels, he 

 prevented them from offering any resistance. " If 

 you want my life," said he, " you have the power 

 to take it, — see, I am unarmed and defenceless." 

 The rebel chief replied that they did not want his 

 life, but that he must forthwith hand over the 

 official seals, and take an oath not to molest those 

 who were now the masters of the city. , He imme- 

 diately gave up the seals, and retired to his own 

 apartment, where he was allowed to remain unmo- 

 lested while the other parts of the buildings were 

 plundered and gutted. 



In the afternoon I paid another visit to the city 

 with the Rev. Mr. Edkins, of the London Mis- 

 sionary Society. On arriving at the north gate 

 we found a strong guard stationed there, vfho, 

 after some little persuasion, allowed us to pass in. 

 From the appearances which presented themselves 

 at every turning, it was evident the rebels had 

 made a good use of their time. Not only were 

 all the gates strongly guarded, but patrols of two 

 men each were marching through the city in all 



