Chap. XI. 



CHU-CHU. 



205 



cheaply than those from the southern side of the 

 Bohea mountains. 



We were now approaching the end of our first 

 day's journey from Hokow. The day was far 

 advanced, and we intended to put up for the night at 

 Chu-chu, a small town near the foot of the Bohea 

 mountains properly so called. During all my wan- 

 derings in China I had never yet slept in a Chinese 

 inn, and could not help indulging in various specula- 

 tions respecting it. Calling Sing-Hoo, I desired him 

 and the coolie with the luggage to go before, and 

 look out for a respectable place in which we could 

 pass the night. 



The town of Chu-chu is built on the two sides of a 

 mountain stream. It is a small, poor place, supported 

 by travellers and coolies passing to and from the 

 Bohea mountains, and by the trade in the tea which is 

 grown and manufactured in the surrounding districts. 



My chairmen followed Sing-Hoo down the main 

 street of the town for some distance. He had been 

 making many inquiries by the way, and at last 

 entered one of the numerous inns which abound in 

 the place. Having hastily inspected it, and seeing it 

 would suit our purpose, he returned to the door to 

 give me this information. After being received in 

 due form by the landlord, I walked through the 

 outer part of the premises into the reception-hall. 



This inn, although somewhat smaller than the one 

 formerly described, was built upon the same plan. 

 The part fronting the street was perfectly open, being 

 entirely composed of pillars and shutters. Mine host, 



