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 into 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.
The respite was a welcome for the men, for the hot sun had caused them great suffering. A hasty meal was had, and a constant watch was kept for the Boxers; but they did not reappear, and just before nightfall the battalion pushed on once more in the direction of Tien-Tsin.
“Phew! but that was hot while it lasted!” exclaimed Gilbert, as he sank on a hillock to rest. “We pitched right in from the word go!”
“So we did,” answered Captain Banner. “I wonder what became of that Russian detachment?”
“They are on the other side of the tracks somewhere. Hark! You can hear the firing. But what is that booming to the south?”
“That’s a storm,” put in another officer. “We are going to catch it heavily, mark my words.”
The officer was right. A quarter of an hour later the first drops began to fall, and in less than an hour the downpour became a perfect deluge. Close beside the railroad some of the soldiers had found a quantity of driftwood, and of this they proceeded to make shelters to keep off the water.
It looked as if the battalion was in for a bad night of it, but how bad no one yet knew. Darkness had scarcely settled down when a staff officer dashed up on a horse covered with foam.