Page:On to Pekin.djvu/293

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THE BATTLE OF PEITSANG
265

the Allies was twelve hundred killed and wounded. How many the Chinese lost will probably never be known, but they certainly numbered into the thousands.

The capture of Peitsang was important, and many supposed that the Allies would rest there. But this was not to be; for that would have given the Chinese time to throw up intrenchments at Yangtsun, seven miles distant.

"We must go right after them!" said more than one soldier. And go after them they did, early on Monday; and by Tuesday Yangtsun had fallen, and the Chinese were retreating in the direction of Ho-Si-Wu and Matow.

The awful heat told fearfully upon Captain Banner's company; and most of the soldiers were glad enough to rest at Yangtsun for half a day, to await rations and some necessary equipments. The only troops who would not rest were the Japanese. Those little fighters were on the go night and day, and did not seem to know what exhaustion meant.

"They beat me," declared Captain Banner. "I have seen Indians keep it up pretty well, but never like these sons of Japan. I believe they'll go right