BOOM!  The Americans' gun roared as it unleashed a round of canister at the approaching Boxers.  Joined by the rapid firing Krag-Jorgensen rifles of the marines, together they cut a bloody swath through the Chinese ranks!  The few survivors turned tail and ran for the cover of the woods.
 
 
<< The Americans open fire!
 
 
The Boxers were attempting to charge across the rice fields in an attempt to get over the wall of the small  American compound.
 
 
The men manning the cannon took quick stock of their ammo supply.  Although they had plenty of shrapnel rounds, they only had one round of canister left.  Deciding to hold it until a more opportune time, they switched to shrapnel and fired again!
 
<<  Good shooting boys!  That'll learn 'em!
 
The Boxer commander on this flank had ordered his men to advance around the rice paddies, hoping that the speed of their advance would compensate for the lack of cover they would have in so doing.  He was beginning to regret his decision, however, as the Americans began to pour it into the charging fanatics!
 
Back in the British residency, the Gurkhas had a mountain gun.  Although the Boxers attacking the Americans were out of range of the Gurkha rifles, they did add the fire from their small cannon.  They took aim at the approaching Imperial Chinese column, but missed.
 
 
<<  The Gurkhas join in the fun!
 
 
Although their shot fell short, it did land smack in the middle of some Boxers who, in defiance of their commander's orders, were sneaking up through the rice paddies.  There would be an extra rum ration for the Gurkha gunners tonight!
 
The Boxer advance on the American's end was running into trouble, but what of the other side of town?  Sergeant-Major McDuff's Highlanders had fallen back to a low stone wall.  Lord Bumblethwaite and his wife had made it safely back to the residency compound.
 
<< The Highlanders prepare for the inevitable attack!
 
The veteran Sergeant-Major addressed his men, "Right lads.  It's our job to keep those blokes from getting into the residency.  We will not be budging an inch from this spot!"
 
Of course, the Boxers had other ideas.  Citizen Purdy was still standing outside his store, and had blasted a couple of the belligerent Chinese with his hunting rifle, shouting curse all the time.
 
<<  The Boxers advance on the town!
 
The Boxers were developing a healthy respect for this man.  Several volunteers were sent to cross the bridge to try and kill Purdy, while the rest forded the stream elsewhere, advancing through the fields on the edge of town.

As the Highlanders waited for the order to open fire, Purdy shook his fist at the oncoming Boxers, shouting, "Right!  You want some more, do you?  Well, old Purdy will give you something to think about!"

And then the Boxers were upon him...
 
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