Cuar. XIX.) HOW THWARTED. 357 
kindness, as I was able to pay my own expenses ; 
and that all I required of them was simply permis- 
sion to hire a small boat, with three or four men, 
which would enable me to get on to Shanghae. 
They still kept on pressing their offer upon me, 
which I continued as firmly to refuse. Another 
long private conference between them was now 
held, which, I suppose, ended in a determination 
to try what effect could be produced on my servant, 
who was accordingly sent for. He was desired to 
tell me that the distance between Chapoo and 
Shanghae was very great, and that the roads were 
infested with bands of robbers who were sure to 
attack us; and that they could not answer for the 
consequences unless another boat and some of their 
own soldiers went along with us for protection. 
“Tell them,” said I, “that I have made up my 
mind to travel in my usual way, and that no argu- 
ments which can be used will induce me to change 
my opinion, and that the arms which I have shown 
them are quite. sufficient to repel the attacks of 
any robbers whom I may meet on the road.” Asa 
last resource, they sent an officer and his servant 
td me, who said that they were going to Shanghae, 
and would be extremely obliged if I would allow 
them to accompany me. I was obliged to meet 
even this civil request with a refusal; and the man- 
darins, finding that they must either use force or 
allow me to have my own way, finally gave up the 
contest. 
A boatman now made his appearance, and an- 
RAS 
