APPENDIX  D

424
robbers  might  follow  in  boats.  When  half-way  to  Tai-chow  city,
a  party  of  Roman  Catholics  were  sighted,  but  no  attack  was
made.
5  p.m.  People  arriving  at  the  city  by  steam  launch  from
Haimen  reported  passing  Protestant  refugees  in  three  gunboats
about  fifteen  miles  below  the  city.
Monday,  12  th
9  a.m.  First  party  of  refugees  arrived  safely.  Praise  God.
They  report  that  others  are  on  the  way  and  that  the  Protestant
community  of  Haimen  will  probably  all  be  here  about  noon
to-day,  as  they  all  sailed  together  on  Sunday  morning  from
Haimen.
Telegram  from  British  Consul,  dated  Ningpo,  Monday,  10  a.m-  :
“  Catholics  state  that  they  have  dispersed  out  Protestants  still
assembled  together  with  aggressive  intentions.  Is  this  true  ?  ”
A  reply  was  sent  to  the  British  Consul  from  Tai-chow  Fu  at
h  o’clock  as  follows  :  “  Protestant  community  officially  sent
here  under  escort.  Left  Haimen  Sunday  morning.  Unable  to
protect  there.  Premises  in  charge  of  Chen-tai.”
Last  of  the  three  gunboat  parties  arrived  about  noon.  We
are  informed  that  a  body  of  Romanists  left  this  city  in  answer
to  a  telegram  from  Haimen  on  Saturday  night  to  attack  refugees
en  route.  They  had  lacked  courage  at  sight  of  the  gunboats.
The  Romanists  say  they  must  have  the  life  of  the  Protestant
preacher.
2  p.m.  All  the  refugees  except  the  women  and  children
visited  the  Prefect,  who  said  they  had  shown  themselves  superior
to  the  Roman  Catholics,  and  that  they  must  stay  here  till  he  saw
it  safe  for  them  to  return  to  their  homes.
8  p.m.  An  inquirer  arrived  from  Haimen  said  the  R.C.’s  had
caught  him,  and  demanded  100  jars  of  wine  as  ransom  for  his
life.  He  managed  to  get  90  jars  of  wine  for  them,  and  they
allowed  him  to  escape.  He  says  a  large  force  of  armed  men
from  the  north  bank  of  the  river  was  crossing  to  join  the  Roman
Catholic  army  to-day.

Thursday,  13  th
8.30  a.m.  A  Thanksgiving  Service  to  God  for  the  escape  of
the  refugees  was  held  in  the  China  Inland  Mission  Chapel.  Psalms
37  and  124  were  read,  and  prayer  was  offered  for  the  persecuting
Roman  Catholics.
At  Haimen  the  Roman  Catholics  are  searching  for  those
who  have  shown  sympathy  with  the  Protestants.  Many  have
fled  from  the  town,  others  are  in  hiding,  and  business  is  paralysed-