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148 fellows are out of the fight. Why not leave them alone?"

"I'm afraid you'll see worse than that before we get through," answered Captain Banner. "Some foreign soldiers are pretty brutal, I can tell you that; and even some of our own men can't be held back at times."

There was no time to say more, for all were after the Boxers on the double-quick. Gradually the Celestials separated into three parties. At this the Russians followed one, the Americans another, while the third party escaped in the direction of Shan-Hai-Kwan, a town to the north of Tongku.

In the struggle near the wood the Americans had left the vicinity of the railroad; but now the Boxers they were after ran for the road-bed and came out at a spot between that and the Pei-Ho. They appeared to know the marshland perfectly, and soon the larger portion of them disappeared among the tall reeds.

Gilbert's company ran as far as possible inlo the marshland, and were then ordered to halt by Captain Banner. Soon after this Major Morris ordered the entire battalion back to the road-bed of the railroad, and fighting for the time being came to an end.