Chap. XIV. AN AVARICIOUS BOATMAN. 



303 



Mr. Wadman in Ningpo, and had promised to send 

 them back in the old man's boat, in which they 

 had been used. These he threatened to sell to 

 make up the amount — a mode of proceeding which 

 I well knew he durst not adopt. We then bade 

 him good-bye, and with the money which he had 

 refused we proceeded on our journey in the smaller 

 boats. 



We had not gone very far when our friend made 

 his appearance, — having come by a near cut across 

 country, — and begged in the humblest manner that 

 we would let him have his money. He was quite 

 satisfied now, and he " would not sell the chairs." 

 As a slight punishment, we paid no attention to 

 his request for some time, and allowed him to 

 follow the boats for about a mile. We then paid 

 him the sum which he had formerly refused, and 

 added for his consolation that had he taken it at 

 first he would have received a present besides — a 

 lesson which, if it was lost on him, had a good 

 effect on our other men. 



As we proceeded the canal became fuller, and 

 my boat, which was the next largest, was stojDped 

 by a bridge. There was nothing for it but taking 

 out all my luggage, and sending it onwards in a 

 small sand-pan, which luckily was easily procured. 

 My boatmen were quite satisfied with the allow- 

 ance made to them for their homeward journey, 

 and wished me fair winds and a prosperous jour- 

 ney, adding that if I returned to Ningpo they 

 would be happy to have a fresh engagement. 



