38 
WANDERINGS IN CHINA. 
Chap. III. 
nearly entire. A few stone josses or gods — a dome, with 
a double wall, containing a winding staircase leading to 
the different balconies, through which the wind howled 
in a most dismal manner — are all that I can particularise 
about the pagoda. I went over the whole of it, and 
obtained an excellent view of the surrounding country 
for many miles on all sides. As far as the eye can 
reach it has the same barren and rocky character. No 
one noticed or molested me in any way. 
After enjoying the view of the country from the top 
of the hills, I descended to the low ground by a dif- 
ferent way from that by which I had come ; but no 
sooner did I reach the plain than I was again surrounded 
by the natives. It was getting late in the afternoon, and 
my servant, I believe, felt rather tired, as I had intended 
he should when we started in the morning. He now 
began to scheme a little to save himself from walking 
any farther than he could possibly help ; and as I some- 
times traversed rather wide circular routes in search of 
plants, he generally took the nearest way in the direction 
in which he knew we had ultimately to go. A few of 
the natives now began to follow me rather closely, and 
from their manner I suspected that their intentions were 
not good ; but as they pretended to take me to some 
place where I should see some good plants and flowers, I 
allowed them to accompany me, and tried to keep them 
all in good humour. We arrived at last in sight of a 
large mansion, standing in a retired part of the country, 
and I was proceeding with perfect confidence towards it, 
when the Chinamen began to press more closely round 
me ; and upon feeling a hand in my pocket I turned 
