282 SHOOTING IN CHINA 



in a very uncertain sampan, and make our 

 way to Mackenzie's store where we had to 

 wait until 400 cartridges were loaded, 

 which took a longer time in those inexpert 

 days than would be required now. By the 

 time we got back to our boat the tide had 

 turned, and nilly willy we had to remain at 

 anchor until that night. The loss of a day 

 in a three weeks' trip does not appear much 

 in these more philosophical times, but then 

 it seemed an eternity. Nothing unusual 

 occured during the trip until we arrived at 

 E-Shing. As evening drew on we saw our 

 masthead light at no great distance. Butler 

 made straight for it, while I making a 

 longer and circuitous route found finally 

 that a broad bridgeless creek cut me off 

 from our craft. It was now quite dark ; no 

 native boats were about, and it became a 

 question of seeking the shelter of a native 

 hut or breasting the water. There was I 

 with four brace of pheasants slung over one 

 shoulder, my cartridge bag over the other, 

 and my gun. There was not much time 

 for reflection and an icy cold swim was the 

 result. And when I landed in the dark 

 how heavy everything was, pound weights 

 seemed to be hundred weights. However, 



