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. They pressed their desire for the usual New Year's
audience, and once more the imprisoned monarch was brought forth
and made to sit upon the throne and receive them. But when the
ladies asked for an audience they were refused, the Empress
Dowager being too busy with affairs of state. She was at that
time seriously considering whether or not the government should
cast in its lot with the Boxers and drive all the foreigners with
all their productions into the eastern sea.
One of the princesses told Mrs. Headland that before coming to a
decision the Empress Dowager called the hereditary and imperial
princes into the palace to consult with them as to what they
would better do. She met them all face to face, the Emperor and
Prince Tuan standing near the throne. She explained to them the
ravages of the foreigners, how they were gradually taking one
piece after another of Chinese territory.
"And now," she continued, "we have these patriotic braves who
claim to be impervious to swords and bullets; what shall we do?
Shall we cast in our lot with their millions and drive all these
foreigners out of China or not?"
Prince Tuan, as father of the heir-apparent, uneducated,
superstitious and ignorant of all foreign affairs, then spoke. He
said:
"I have seen the Boxers drilling, I have heard their
incantations, and I believe that they will be able to effect this
much desired end. They will either kill the foreigners or drive
them out of the country and no more will dare to come, and thus
we will be rid of them
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