CHAPTER XV. PAGE

Chinese Custom-houses.--Attempts at Extortion.--An Adventure.--Ruse de Guerre.--Its Success.--Peace Negotiations.--Their abrupt Termination.--The Plot thickens.--A Companion in Misfortune.--Negotiations renewed.--Their Failure.--Hostilities.--Critical Position.--Danger increases.--Attempted Rescue.--The Mud Fort Mandarin.--His Fate.--The Civil Mandarin.--Rescued at last.--The _Williamette_ 425