THE CHINESE AS FIGHTERS. 621 of this cannonade was to give the Chinese the idea that the Japanese fleet was trying to come in by the western entrance, and so to divert their attention from the other entrance, where a final attempt was being made to destroy the eastern boom. It failed, for a gale had sprung up, and in the rising sea the boats and steam launches could effect nothing, though they were not firedonby the Chinese.

Admiral Ting's fleet had fought its last fight. The next day saw the surrender of all that remained of it and of the island forts on Liukung-tao.

The obstinate defence of the harbour had proved that properly led Chinamen could fight bravely,a fact that menwere beginning to doubt as theyread tlae storyof the other battles of this war with Japan. Admiral Ting was fortunate in having the help of a number of European volunteers at Wei-hai-wei,and the recordof the siege affords goodproof that under such leaders the Chinese canbe madeintogood fighting men, though it is only fair to remember that these Europeans were a mere handful, and several of the ships and all the island forts were entirely officered by Chinese. The PekinGovernment wereso impressedby what this handful ofEuropeans had done, that they appointed as their chief naval adviser Captain McClure, a British sailor, and if the war had been prolonged he would have had the command of the southern fleets.

THE JAPANESE ARMOURED CRUISER "MATSUSHIMA."