890 



TWO OF THE THIEVES BAMBOOED. Chap. XIX. 



had attended this operation. Before taking his 

 leave he expressed a wish that I would not leave 

 Nanziang until the next afternoon, when he 

 trusted all would be arranged to my satisfaction. 

 He was very averse to my making any complaint 

 to the English authorities in Shanghae about what 

 had happened. 



Early next morning, one of my boatmen who 

 had been in the town informed me, apparently 

 with great satisfaction, that two of the thieves had 

 been caught and bambooed, and that it was 

 reported the money had been recovered. As I did 

 not intend troubling the authorities until the 

 evening, I walked across the country to Cading, in 

 order to procure samples of some seeds which I 

 had marked when there some weeks before. 



On returning to my boat in the evening, I 

 despatched my servant to the office of the authori- 

 ties, with a message stating that I had remained 

 for two days with the prospect of having my pro- 

 perty recovered, but that it was my intention now 

 to proceed to Shanghae, and report the matter to 

 the English consul. A very polite message came 

 back stating that the thieves were to be treated 

 with another bambooing that night, and asking me 

 tp wait the results. Thinking that the mandarins 

 were trifling with me, and that more would be 

 gained by my absence than presence, I returned 

 my compliments, stating I could wait no longer, 

 and that as soon as the money was recovered I 

 would feel obliged if it was sent to the care of Her 



