BOOK I. THE TRIADS at SHANGHAI, 1853-1855 : My forbears and my upbringing -- My career is determined -- I am launched at Shanghai -- I am married -- The calm before the storm -- The rebels seize Shanghai City -- We rescue the Taotai -- I am introduced to good society -- I revisit my home -- The customs authorities are in difficulties -- Our encounter with the soldiers -- I meet Mr. Alcock -- The assault on the city -- The governor receives me -- A country-house visit -- Mr. Murphy enters on the scene -- The Battle of Muddy Flat -- Probity and vigilance in the customs -- The French intervene -- The Triads evacuate Shanghai. BOOK II. CAMPAIGNING with WARD, 1860-1862 : My first meeting with Mr. Ward -- My home is desolate -- Mr. Ward is launched -- The signal success of Sungkiang - Mr. Ward is wounded and defeated -- Mr. Ward is invalided -- Mr. Ward a prisoner -- Ward's Chinese Force -- Kwangfuling and its results -- Ward's victorious career -- Laurels and orange wreaths -- The thirty-mile zone is cleared -- Li Hungchang takes the reins -- The death of a hero. BOOK III. VICTORY with GORDON, 1862-1864 : Burgevine in command -- Holland in command -- Gordon takes command -- Mutiny of the force -- The Hyson at Kunshan -- Capture of Wukiang -- I enter Soochow -- I begin my spying -- The foreigners abandon Soochow -- The Princes are faint-hearted -- The closing of the net -- Surrender and execution of the Princes -- Achilles in his tent -- The end of our campaigning -- The Ever-Victorious Army is disbanded -- A visit to Tseng Kwofan -- The lost is found--and lost again -- Epilogue.