ROBBERY OF CASH 43. 
mine was fairly lofty, I had a boarded floor put in, 
about eight feet from the ground, and ascended to it 
by means of a ladder from the outside. This I made 
my bedroom, and when the arrangements were com- 
pleted, found myself fairly comfortable. In the outer 
room the cooking was done, and here the coolies, col- 
lectors, &c., assembled. The outer doors were secured 
on the inside by two stout pieces of timber sliding across 
as a protection against robbers, who are reputed to be 
common in this particularly wild region. 
The day after my arrival I paid off and discharged 
the Ichang coolies, keeping only my cook and inter- 
preter and aboy with me. Soon after their departure 
I found that the large cash I had been to such trouble 
to secure had all been changed for small, and upon in- 
quiry discovered that the thief was a native of the dis- 
trict, who had come down by arrangement to assist and 
act as a guide to my coolies. I blamed myself very much 
for having trusted him with such a valuable load, which, 
if it had beert taken by a coolie engaged from the hong, 
would in all probability have been delivered untam- 
pered with. The thief naturally kept out of my way, 
and I was unable to afford time to trace him out and 
have punishment administered, which was unfortunate, 
as it set a bad example to the other natives, who might 
think they could treat me in the same way. 
