90 DEPARTURE FROM CHUNG-KING 
sary to have such a document prepared and signed by 
them, as they will be nearly sure to fail in their duty 
if merely verbally engaged. 
A very disagreeable incident occurred here. I had 
offered one of my men a small sum each for the eggs. 
of the white heron, and upon his bringing me a dozen 
I paid him what I had agreed. This did not suit him, 
and because I refused to be imposed upon, he threw the 
cash I had given him in my face. I was utterly power- 
less to retaliate in the slightest manner, as it would have 
caused a disturbance among the many boats close by, 
and probably my boat would have been looted and de- 
stroyed. 
On April 24 I left Chung-king at 2 pP.m., accom- 
panied by Mr. Cockburn and Mr. George. This was an 
intensely hot day, the thermometer being at 100° in 
the boat. A short journey only of twenty-five li was 
made, when the boat was secured for the night. 
April 25.—Started at 4.30 am. After having gone 
about four miles, Messrs. Cockburn and George left me 
to return to Chung-king ina sampan. They were the 
last Europeans seen by me, with the exception of my 
assistant and Mrs. Riley, until I arrived at Sui-fu, the 
town at the junction of the Min River with the Yang- 
tze-kiang. A little cooler to-day, the thermometer at 
90°; and fair progress made, ninety li. 
