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Rh trouble!" cried Captain Banner, and gazed at the major inquiringly.

"Company A will march directly to the river shore," said Major Morris, promptly. "If those people in the boat need assistance, give them all you can."

The rain had soaked the marshland thoroughly, and soon the members of Company A found themselves in water over their ankles. The shouting from the river continued; and at length they made out a small lighter, usually used to transport goods from the steamboats in Taku Harbor to Tien-Tsin. The lighter was filled with refugees from Tien-Tsin,—men, women, and children,—who were trying to escape the furies of the Chinese bombardment. The craft had become stuck in the mud, and was being fired upon by a party of Boxers, numbering at least two hundred and fifty.

As soon as he realized the situation, Captain Banner did not hesitate as to what to do. Bringing his company to a halt, he ordered the men to fire low, so as not to hit anybody in the boat.

The first round was very effective, six Boxers being killed and as many more wounded. The