328 COFFINS KEPT IN HOUSES. ([Caar. XVII. 
quaintance on an errand of this kind. When we 
had proceeded about six or eight miles from Shang- 
hae, we observed a good-looking house in a wood 
hard by, and determined to pay it a visit and see 
whether the occupant would be inclined to let it. 
As we drew near, all was still and quiet; not even 
our old enemies, the dogs, appeared to dispute our 
approach. When the Chinese,—who always fol- 
lowed us in considerable numbers wherever we 
went—saw us approaching the house, they stood 
still at a little distance, watching our proceedings 
with a great degree of interest. We knocked at 
the door of the mansion, and then stood at one side 
so that the porter might not see that his visitors 
were the Hong-mou-jins, or red-haired race, as 
they are pleased to call the English; for we well 
knew that if we were seen, the door would not be 
opened. Ina few seconds we heard the sounds of 
feet, and then a voice summoned us to know our 
business. We mumbled something in Chinese, and 
the poor man, quite unconscious of his danger, 
threw open the door. I shall never forget the look 
of mingled fear and astonishment which he gave us 
as we quietly walked into the court; at the same 
time the group of natives outside were indulging in 
hearty laughter at the way in which he had been 
entrapped. 
The court-yard, where we now were, was neatly 
paved, and the whole of the house appeared to be 
in excellent repair. As we were led from room to 
