52 CHARACTER OF THE NATIVES.  ([Caapr. IV. 
things, which he had evidently gathered very near 
the landing-place on the shore. I felt much 
annoyed at this, and scolded him pretty sharply for 
his conduct; but he excused himself by saying, that 
he durst not go in the direction to which I had 
pointed, as he would have been beaten and robbed 
by the Chinchew men. This I did not believe at 
the time, and imagined that it was laziness on his 
part, for, like most of the Chinese, who receive a 
specified sum per month for their services, he was 
rather remarkable for this propensity ; I therefore 
determined to set out myself on the day following, 
and give him the treat of a long walk for his mis- 
conduct. The following morning was fine, and I 
jumped into a China boat which [had hired for the 
purpose, and reached the shore, after being com- 
pletely drenched by the breakers, which roll high 
along the shores of this bay, and render the landing, 
particularly in small boats, rather dangerous. When 
I got on shore, and proceeded to walk in the direc- 
tion I intended, the boatman and others came 
round me, and attempted to dissuade me from 
going, by intimating that I was sure to be attacked 
by the Chinchew men, and robbed or murdered. 
I also saw signs of warfare in the shape of match- 
locks and long bamboo poles, in the hands of the 
Chinamen, who, as my servant informed me, were 
obliged to carry them in self-defence. I began 
to wish, then, that I had brought off from the ship 
a few of the crew for protection — indeed Captain 
Woodrow kindly offered to send some with me 
