210 Through the Land of the Cross-bow 
La-chi-mi! Probably they were not in any case, but I 
mentally attributed their behaviour on this particular occa- 
sion to that more metaphorical form of unworthiness best 
understood by the Chinese themselves, and commonly 
translated ‘face.’ It did not in the least matter that they 
had deserted—I was glad to be rid of them so cheaply— 
but I had no sympathy with the principle involved. It 
occurred to me that, fearful of being reported at the yamen 
and beaten for their conduct on the previous day, they 
had considered it advisable to accompany me no further, 
even though, by quietly slipping away, they lost all chance 
of receiving the small emolument it is customary to give 
soldier escorts, according to their merits. But I was mis- 
taken, and I might indeed have been able to put quite a 
different interpretation on their strange action had I listened 
to the whispered conversation they held with a group of 
villagers some miles back. 
At last we descended the thousand feet or so into the 
deep hollow, the glimpse of closely-packed roofs rapidly 
giving place to a more extensive view of the village, where 
Ah-poh and I created a good deal of astonishment amongst 
the Minchia and Chinese population. Having deposited 
my things in an inn and performed a simple toilet according 
to my resources, I repaired at once to the yamen. 
