152 SHOOTING IN CHINA 



would have supposed from the noise made by 

 the Chinese that the town on both sides of the 

 river had been pulled into it. The alarm 

 was deafening, but I could not stop my boat 

 which continued down the river as under a 

 full head of steam. About two hours after 

 the bridge had been knocked aside the 

 consul general came along, but one cannot 

 properly appreciate his situation unless he 

 knows something of Chinese character. So 

 far as I was concerned I supposed the in- 

 cident was closed, but while at dinner I felt 

 my boat suddenly jar, and upon inquiry as 

 to the cause learned that a large Chinese 

 boat with ten Chinese on board had made 

 fast to mine and that three were on board 

 to arrest the loadah. I at once left the table, 

 took my pistol in my hand, walked to the 

 aft of the houseboat and through my serv- 

 ant boy gave notice that if they did not 

 leave my boat at once I would shoot them 

 down on its deck. But the gleam of the 

 pistol in the lamplight was sufficient, for as 

 soon as they saw it they did not stand upon 

 the order of going. I then asked what 

 damage had been sustained and they thought 

 that six dollars would replace the rope and 

 timber lost. I gave them four dollars and 



