160 A PERSONAL ADVENTURE [Cuar. IX. 
as I proceeded. I now came to a little hill which 
seemed to be used as a cemetery: it was enclosed, 
but the door which led to it was wide open, and 
the place appeared to be quite public. In order 
to have a more extended view of the country, I 
walked in and began to ascend the hill. I had 
only proceeded about half way up, when a number of 
Chinamen who had followed me in, began to crowd 
round me, asking for “ comeshaws,” * and becoming 
every moment more numerous and urgent. I tried 
what civility would do with them for a little while, 
but by the time I reached the top of the hill I 
clearly perceived that I was in a trap, out of which 
it would be a difficult matter to extricate myself. 
Up to this time, however, no one had attempted 
to lay hands upon me. Taking a cursory view of 
the surrounding country, I began to devise in my 
mind the best mode of getting rid of my trouble- 
some companions. There seemed no other way 
than putting a bold face on the matter, and re- 
tracing my steps to Canton. “ You more better 
come down this way,” said a fellow to me in broken 
English, pointing to a ravine on the opposite side of 
the hill. My suspicions, however, were now roused, 
and I saw at once the object of my adviser, which 
was to get me into some place out of sight, where I 
should doubtless have been robbed of every article 
I had about my person, and probably stripped into 
the bargain. ‘“ No, no,” said I, “I have nothing 
* Presents. 
