CHAlf. XX. 



MEN SENT TO CALCUTTA. 



397 



runaway. On inquiry I ascertained this man was 

 also a black-tea maker from Kiangse, and as all 

 tlie others affirmed him to be a first-rate work- 

 man, I consented to accept him in lieu of the 

 other. By the time we had concluded this ar- 

 rangement the vessel's anchor was at the bows, 

 and we steamed away rapidly down the river and 

 out to sea. 



My difficulties, in so far as these men were con- 

 cerned, were now over, and I was heartily glad 

 that my efforts had thus been crowned with com- 

 plete success. As all these men were from a 

 district several hundred miles inland, and had 

 never been to sea in their lives, I was most 

 anxious that nothing should happen to make them 

 disgusted with the voyage, and took measures to 

 have them kindly treated while at sea. When 

 we reached Hongkong, Mr. Pereira, of Messrs. 

 Dent and Company, was good enough to get his 

 compradore to give them quarters and feed them 

 until an opportunity arrived of sending them on 

 to India. 



In a few days the two sets of men — those from 

 Fokien as well as those from Kiangse — were 

 shipped in the steamer " Ohusan " for Calcutta, 

 and, after having numerous adventures, which 

 they related to me afterwards with great glee, 

 they all arrived in safety and good health at their 

 destination in the Himalayas. 



It was now necessary for me to return once 

 more to the north, in order to settle my accounts 



