Chap. VI. 



WANG'S ROGUERY. 



105 



gerous to travel on in such a night. Once the fore- 

 most man came down, and I was all but blown over 

 the bank into the river ; indeed, had the second man 

 not held on firmly by the chair, I believe I must 

 have fallen over the precipice, chair and all. 



The lights of the town at last came in sight, and, 

 as we entered its narrow streets, I ordered the chair- 

 men to set me down and wait until my servants came 

 up. The bearers accordingly stopped in front of a 

 tea-house, into which they entered and called for 

 some refreshment. While they were inside the house 

 I was looking out for my men, as it was just possible 

 that they might pass us in the dark. In a few 

 minutes Wang came up to me in a state of great 

 excitement, and almost pulled me out of the chair. 

 " Come away — be quick !" said he ; " leave the chair 

 where it is, and let us hurry onwards." I got out, 

 thinking that something very serious was about to 

 happen, and plunged onwards through the mud and 

 rain. We had not gone many yards when the chair- 

 men gave chase, and, coming up with us, collared 

 Wang and demand ed. their fare. " What is the 

 i meaning of this proceeding?" said I :. "you received 

 money from me to pay these men before we started, 

 and now you want to run. off without paying, them at 

 all." " Do not make any noise," he replied ; " 1 

 will account for the money afterwards, but give me 

 some more now to get rid of these men." I did so, 

 and we then went on. 



When the chairmen left us I was bringing Wang 

 to task for dishonesty. He then told me that, as he 



