Chap. XTl. 



LITTLE BOY'S OPINION OF ME. 



267 



my new friends. Late in the afternoon, long 

 trains of coolies — men and boys — passed tlie 

 temple from a district further inland, loaded with 

 young bamboo shoots, which are eaten as a vege- 

 table and much esteemed. The news of the 

 arrival of a foreigner at the temple seemed to fly 

 in all directions ; and we were crowded during the 

 evening with the natives, all anxious to get a 

 glimpse of me. Some seemed never tired of look- 

 ing at me ; others had a sort of superstitious 

 dread mingled with curiosity. One little urchin, 

 who had been looking on with great reverence 

 for some time, and on whom I flattered myself 

 I had made a favourable impression, undeceived 

 me by putting the following simple question to 

 his father : — " If I go near him, will he bite me ?" 

 This, I confess, astonished me ; for although I had 

 no. tail, — was not exactly the same colour as they 

 were, — and did not wear the same kind of dress, — 

 I did not expect to be taken for a wild animal. 

 What strange tales must have been told these 

 simple country people of the barbarians during the 

 last Chinese war ? 



