Chap. IV. 



THREATENED ATTACK. 



69 



not allow myself to believe that in the interior of this 

 country, where the people were generally quiet and 

 harmless, an act of the kind could be committed with 

 impunity. I therefore did not get up as Wang 

 wished, but told him that I should take care to re- 

 main awake. 



The city of Wae-ping stands on the high banks of 

 the Hwuy-chow river. One of the gates was visible 

 to us owing to a blaze of light thrown over it by the 

 torches and lanterns of the Chinese. An inclined 

 plane, which formed the road, reached from the river 

 up to the gate, and was visible from the boat. As 

 all the Chinese carry lanterns, it was easy for us to 

 see those who came out of the city and descended 

 towards the river. The evening, although dark, was 

 perfectly still, so that the slightest noise could be 

 distinctly heard at a considerable distance. At last 

 the city gate opened, and about a dozen men came 

 out, each carrying a lantern, and descended the hill 

 towards the boat. " Get up, get up ! quick, quick !" 

 said my servant, " for here they come." I jumped 

 up immediately, and waited for the threatened attack 

 with all the composure I could command. My two 

 Chinamen appeared in a state of great alarm, and 

 kept as close to me as they possibly could. At last the 

 foremost man in the band approached, and, jumping 

 lightly on board, peeped in at the door of our boat. 

 " Hilloa ! what do you want ? " cried both of my men 

 at the same time. The fellow gave a grin, said 

 he did not want us, and jumped from our boat to 

 another which lay alongside. His companions also 



