Chap. VI. 



CHINESE " SQUEEZING.' 



103 



I could not pay such a large sum, and must devise 

 some other means of proceeding down the country. 

 He pretended to be highly indignant at my even 

 suspecting his veracity, and was entering into a long 

 explanation, when I cut the matter short by saying 

 that my mind was made up upon the subject, and 

 that, as the sum he named was out of the question, 

 I should endeavour to engage another boat myself or 

 through the coolie. Moreover I hinted that, if things 

 could not be managed in that way, I would call upon 

 the mandarin of Tun-che, and ask his assistance to 

 enable me to engage a boat at a fair and proper 

 price. I then desired him to say no more to me on 

 this subject, and walked away. 



This treatment produced exactly the effect which 

 I intended it should do, and in a few minutes old 

 Wang returned, and coolly asked me what sum 1 

 was willing to give for the hire of the boat. " What 

 is the use of your asking that question ?" I replied r 

 <c you tell me you have engaged a boat at twenty-four 

 dollars ; if I take the boat I must of course pay this 

 sum ; if not, I only forfeit the bargain-money which 

 you say you have paid." "Never mind that," said 

 he ; " tell me what sum you can give for the hire of 

 this boat, and then we shall see whether it is sufficient 

 or not." "Well," said I, "I must reach Ning-po for 

 twenty dollars, and I know that sum is quite sufficient 

 for the journey." " Very well," he replied with the 

 greatest coolness, " give fifteen for this boat from 

 Tun-che to Nechow, and I will guarantee that the 

 other five shall take you. on to Ning-po," This was 



