The War of the Dragon Lady (19 page)

‘Good, I shall be here.’

‘So will I.’ He now adopted a proprietorial air. ‘You will see and hear things tonight that will interest you greatly. I promise.’

Alice freed her hand and stood. ‘Thank you, Gerald. Until tonight, then.’

His eyes were glowing as he answered, ‘Until tonight, then, cousin.’

Walking away, Alice thought of her husband. Was he dead? She tossed her head defiantly. Of course not! Simon Fonthill was indestructible. But she wished – oh, how she wished! – that he was here to deal with this odious young man,
her own cousin
!

Within fifteen minutes of crossing those two hundred or so yards of no man’s land and then climbing the bales of wool, silk, cotton and peanuts that formed the main part of the French line defending the settlements, Fonthill found himself sitting facing the senior British officer at Tientsin, Brigadier General Dorward. Jenkins and Chang had been ushered away to be given soup – alas, not onion, but thin gruel – and Simon, wrapped once again in his Kansu coat, was telling his story.

‘Seymour is where, did you say?’ barked the brigadier.

‘Only about six miles from you, upriver. He is holed up in this great Chinese arsenal. He has plenty of supplies because he has captured them, but he is completely surrounded by Tung Fu-hsiang’s forces, his command is severely depleted and he can’t fight his way out. Can you relieve him?’

‘My dear … what’s your name again, sir?’

‘Fonthill.’

The brigadier leant forward. ‘My dear Fonthill, we are not in a position to relieve anyone.’

Simon blinked. ‘But the siege of the settlements has been lifted, hasn’t it? I saw the Kansus retreating. Haven’t thousands of Russians arrived from the coast?’

‘No bloody fear. Look. We only had two thousand four hundred men to start with – to defend a five-mile perimeter against a force that we estimate to be at least twenty thousand. More came in and then we managed to get a message through to Taku, a twelve-hour ride away, through country thick with Chinese troops. Bless ’em, they responded and scraped the barrel – or rather, the ships – to produce a mixed bag of Russians, Germans, Americans and a few British. They have fought every inch of the way and managed to get through this morning.’

He wiped a hand across his chin, scraping his whiskers. ‘What this means, my dear fellow, is that we have not been
relieved
. We have been merely
reinforced
. Our defenders have been supplemented, thank God, but I can’t see us breaking out of here to relieve anyone. These people surrounding us are not a bunch of Boxers. They are the Kansus, fierce fighters, as we have found out, and an organised army, well equipped with artillery.’

‘But I saw the Kansus retreating.’

‘Not retreating. Regrouping.’

A silence descended on the room to be broken, ominously, by the boom of Chinese cannon. Weary and hungry, Fonthill felt his heart sink. He had, it seemed, escaped from the frying pan into the fire.
What hope for the Peking defenders now, with the military forces of the so-called Great Powers cooped up within rings of Chinese bayonets? He sighed.

‘But Brigadier,’ he said, his voice low, ‘I have explained that the situation in Peking is becoming desperate. I don’t know how long the people there can continue to defend the legations but it can’t be long. We can’t sit here and wait for them to be overwhelmed.’

The brigadier had the grace to look embarrassed. ‘As a matter of fact,’ he said, ‘reports have come out from … Shanghai, I think it is, that they have already … er … capitulated. Mind you,’ he hurried on, ‘these are unsubstantiated.’

Fonthill put his brow in his hands. ‘Oh my God. My wife is still there.’

‘Ah, my dear chap.’ Dorward put out his hand and touched Simon’s arm. ‘I am so sorry. Let me repeat that these are just rumours, and you know what China is like for rumours. Such a huge country with such poor communications. Almost sure to be rubbish.’

Simon looked up. ‘Who is in command here?’

‘Well … ah … nobody, really. That’s the trouble, y’see. We are such a mixture. The Russians have got the most troops here but, theoretically, I suppose I am the senior officer. Look here, Fonthill. All is not lost. Let me talk to the senior chap amongst these new arrivals – Russian, almost certainly – and let us see if we can get a force to break out and get to this arsenal place. You are quite right, the effort should be made.’

‘Thank you, Brigadier.’

‘However,’ Dorward mused for a moment. ‘There is no way we could strike north for Peking without taking the Chinese City
of Tientsin first. It’s a walled city of about a million people and it completely dominates the way north. We estimate that it is defended by about twelve thousand Imperial troops, with something like ten thousand Boxer auxiliaries. All of which doesn’t mean to say we can’t knock ’em over. Now, could you lead us to this arsenal place, d’yer think?’

‘Yes. Shouldn’t be difficult. Skirt the Chinese City but follow the river. We wouldn’t need an army but Seymour has plenty of wounded to move. We would want probably about a thousand troops who could move quickly, I would think, if you can spare ’em.’

‘Hmm. Probably have to. We can’t leave Seymour holed up. And we had better act quickly to take advantage of the fact that the Kansus are movin’ about. Now, let’s get you something to eat and wear.’

‘Clothes for my two companions also, please, Brigadier.’

‘Of course.’

Dorward acted with commendable speed. Early the next morning, Fonthill, Jenkins and Chang – the latter pair had refused to be left behind – set off at the head of a mixed force of men, most of them Russian, who streamed out of the settlements. The column was under the command of a Russian, Colonel Shirinsky, whose mounted Cossacks ranged ahead and either side of the infantry, who themselves marched in quick time. They were immediately opposed by a force of Imperial troops, but a determined charge by the Cossack vanguard, wielding lance and sword, scattered the enemy. The column advanced at speed and with a sense of purpose that impressed Fonthill.

The Colonel took it in a swing away from the walls of Tientsin City and then back again to the river and soon they saw the huge
redoubt that was the arsenal. With a sigh of relief, Simon saw that the white ensign of the British navy still fluttered high above the walls and he joined the squadron of Cossacks who, pennants flying from their lances, cantered up to the great wooden door.

Within moments, he was introducing a weary but relieved Seymour to the red-cheeked Russian colonel.

‘Thank God you got through, Fonthill,’ said Seymour, pumping his hand. ‘Plain sailing, was it?’

‘Oh absolutely, Admiral. Pleasure cruise, really.’

While the Cossacks ranged the surrounding country, now remarkably clear of the besieging Kansus, the remnants of the original relief column were gathered, carts were loaded with supplies and ammunition from the arsenal’s stores, and the wounded who could not march were led out on stretchers.

The journey back was slower, of course, but the column was remarkably unhindered, whether because of the fearsome reputation already established by the Cossacks on their advance on the settlements, or because the bulk of the Imperial troops had retreated to bolster the defence of the Chinese City, Fonthill could not decide. He was merely grateful that the first stage in the long march to relieve Peking had been successfully concluded.

As he marched at the head of the column with Jenkins and Chang, each of them arrayed in ill-fitting blue uniforms supplied by the Tientsin Office of Customs and carrying army issue rifles, his mind concentrated on the task ahead. How could he, a comparatively unknown civilian, move the massive diplomatic bureaucracy that surrounded the Allied army in the settlements to address the question of relieving Peking? Without a central point of control and chain of
command to work with, how could he instil urgency and give focus to this loose collection of fighting men? Well, he shrugged, a start had been made, anyway.

It seemed almost as though the forces besieging the settlements had deliberately parted to let the Seymour remnants back within the barricades, for, the day after their return, the Chinese closed in again and launched a series of attacks along the perimeter. For more than two weeks the defenders fought savagely, encouraged by the new reserves of ammunition provided by Seymour’s men and the fact that new men had arrived to reinforce those manning the low mud walls and bales of merchandise that formed the perimeter.

It was a hugely frustrating time for Fonthill, who, with Jenkins and Chang, took his turn at the barricades.

‘This is a bit of a – whatchercall it – stalepiece, ain’it?’ observed Jenkins, wiping his brow with a piece of fine silk that protruded from the bale over which he was firing.

‘No, I think the word is “stalemate”, is it not, cousin?’ asked Chang. ‘They can’t get in and we cannot get out. It is not exactly checkmate, you see, Mr Jenkins, because either side can actually move, so—’

‘Whatever it is,’ growled Fonthill, ‘I’ve had enough. I’m going to see Dorward.’

That evening he bearded the brigadier. Simon presented once more Sir Claude’s message, with its plea for urgent action. The soldier nodded.

‘There has been action, of a sort,’ he said. ‘We have formed a sort of council here, representing all of the powers involved, and I
have informed them of your message. I should add that Lieutenant General Sir Alfred Gaselee, a most distinguished British soldier, is due to land at Taku any day, I understand, to take charge of troops here. At the moment, the trouble is that we have not been able to agree on an immediate course of action, when we have been under such pressure from the Chinese besieging us. But, look here.’ He leant across his desk. ‘There is a meeting tonight. Please come and present Sir Claude’s message yourself. That should stimulate something.’

‘Very well,’ said Fonthill. ‘But I warn you, I shall speak candidly.’

It was, felt Simon, a strange meeting. To a background of artillery fire, like a continuous and not-so-distant drum roll, eight men filed in to sit around Dorward’s large table: Dorward and Seymour, two Russians, a Frenchman, an American, a German and a tiny Japanese, each dressed in the uniform of his country. With the exception of the Japanese, every man was bearded and each face reflected the strain of battle. Fonthill had dreaded that the language used would be French, the tongue of diplomacy, but everyone agreed to speak English. He had also feared that there would be a long agenda to get through before he was allowed to speak, but he was called upon to address the meeting immediately. Most of them, he reflected with satisfaction, were men of action, after all.

Dorward introduced him and gave a brief summary of how he and his two companions had arrived at Tientsin. Then Simon began.

‘Gentlemen,’ he said, looking round at the heavy, jowled faces, ‘you have more than ten thousand men here, with the promise of more to come from the coast. You are fighting a defensive battle to protect the settlements. You have been able to evacuate most of the women and children of the settlements to Taku. You are fighting stoutly and
you have been given fresh ammunition and supplies from Admiral Seymour’s column. With the exception of the quick expedition to the arsenal, however, you have not moved from behind your barricades. It is time you did so.’

There was a sharp intake of breath, but he continued.

‘I left Peking just over two weeks ago, getting here, as you have heard, with some difficulty. I did so because I was asked to bear a message from Sir Claude MacDonald, the British minister there, desperately pleading for help from you.’ He looked around the table at each man in turn and then went on, emphasising his words.

‘There are approximately two thousand civilians, including women and children and most of them Chinese, crowded into the legations there, sheltering, as you are here, behind makeshift barricades and walls. The difference is, though, that when I left, there were only some three hundred able-bodied men defending those walls. The little hospital there is full, the defenders are running low on ammunition and are reduced to half rations. The water they drink is warm and brackish. The enemy surrounding them is well armed and equipped with modern artillery. If they wished, they could reduce the whole Quarter to rubble with their cannon, but for some reason they do not do so, probably fearing the retribution that would fall on them from the Great Powers – that means from
you
, gentlemen.

‘For weeks now, the defenders there – led by the formal representatives of your countries – have looked to you for relief. Their situation is rapidly becoming desperate. Whatever the circumstances here, you must set up a second relief column without delay. If you don’t and if the Chinese break through and pour into the Legations, then the watching, civilised world will condemn you accordingly.

‘It will take time to advance to Peking, through hostile country and without the service of the railway. But it can be done, following the river northwards. There is no time to be lost. You must break out of here
now
.’

He finished and sat back amidst heavy silence. Then the German, a large man with kindly eyes, spoke. ‘Ve cannot move vizout taking the Chinese City. To leave vizout taking it vould leave the settlements at zeir mercy.’

The Frenchman shrugged his shoulders. ‘It is a ’uge fortress. Do we ’ave the men to conquer it? Those big walls …?’

The question hung in the air. ‘Who would command the expedition?’ enquired one of the two Russians.

‘There must be a unified command,’ declared Dorward. ‘I suggest the country which provides the most men should provide the commander. And that,’ he gave a deferential half-bow to the Russian, ‘would be you, Admiral.’

‘Ach no,’ said the Russian, with a quick glance towards the silent Seymour, ‘we need a soldier this time. You are the senior army man here, Dorward. You do it. You will have the Russian support.’

There was a low murmur of agreement around the table. Fonthill felt ambivalent. At least they had agreed to do
something
, but he had seen the size of the fortress that was Tientsin City. To break through those walls would need a serious besieging force. Could the besieged suddenly become the besiegers? How would they do it? But Dorward was speaking again.

‘Very well, gentlemen, I am gratified to have your confidence. I take it that we are all agreed that we must take Tientsin City before we can think of mounting an expedition for the north?’

There were nods of agreement from around the table.

‘Thank you. I will begin making a plan of attack immediately. Could each of you let me have, within the hour, a note of the forces you could provide for the attack? We must not, of course, leave the settlements unprotected and I suggest that, say, five thousand good men will be all that is needed. If we are to strike, we should do so quickly. There can be no suggestion of laying siege to the city. We must make a concentrated breakout which will turn into sudden, frontal attack on the gates. Let us meet again at eight tomorrow morning, when I shall present my plan to you.’