Before long they
succeeded in taking possession of the great city. The Fencers fled in
confusion, and at least two-thirds of the population fled with them,
fearing the vengeance of the foreigners. The legations were saved,
after one ambassador had been shot by an assassin. The city was divided
into districts, each of which was turned over to the safe-keeping of
one of the foreign armies, and the object of the expedition had been
accomplished. In the mean time many foreign residents, including many
missionaries in various parts of the Empire, had been murdered, the
inhabitants not recognizing the obvious fact that they and their
countrymen were their best friends.
Affairs had reached this position when orders came to Havilla for
Colonel Jinks to proceed to join the army in Porsslania, where he would
be placed in command of a regiment. His fidus Achates, Cleary, had also
received permission from his journal to accompany him, and the two set
sail on a transport which carried details of troops. It is true that
these troops could ill be spared from the Cubapines, as the country
was still in the hands of the natives with the exception of here and
there a strip of the seacoast, and there was much illness among the
troops, many being down with fever and worse diseases. But it was
necessary for the Government to make as good a showing in Porsslania as
the other Powers, and the reenforcements had to go.
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