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288 Mexicans. They speak different languages, and all their social customs are different. One old traveller was telling me that some Chinamen don't dare to travel in the districts inhabited by other Chinamen, and such a thing as emigrating from one province to another is almost unknown. You see, all that makes a big difference."

As the troops neared Pekin, the booming of the artillery could be heard distinctly; and Major Morris's battallon was yet a mile away from the great wall of the Chinese City, when there came the whining of a shell overhead. The shell, however, burst far in their rear, doing no damage.

"Forward on the double-quick!" was the order issued; and, as tired as they were, the troops started to obey. In the command was a young bugler named Calvin Titus, an enthusiastic fellow who had served in the Vermont volunteers during the war with Spain. Regardless of all danger, he went on ahead, and, reaching the wall of the city, was the first to gain the top and lower a rope for the assistance of his comrades.

"The British are just ahead of us!" was the cry which presently reached Gilbert's ears; and then