"We have waited for you for fifty-six days," exclaimed the Rev. Mr. Wells. "God be thanked that you have come!"
"Americans, cheer your flag!" shouted Mr. Tewksbury, the missionary; and then came a loud hurrah, in which not only the Americans, but many others joined. Then came more cheering, for the English, French, Germans, and others; and, as night drew on, camp-fires were lit in honor of the occasion, and the missionaries and others gathered around and sang the Doxology, and praised God that the long and perilous siege was a thing of the past.
But the work for the troops was not yet over, and Gilbert was allowed to remain at the compound only a short time. Yet he managed to hunt up the Rev. Mr. Wells.
"Larry Russell wrote to me about you," he said. "I am glad that you are well."
"I am thankful to have you come to our aid," replied the missionary. "It is a glorious victory. What are you going to do next?"
"We are ordered to the gate of the Imperial City. We shan't stop until we have gained the Forbidden City, and brought the Chinese thoroughly to terms."
