258 
WANDERINGS IN CHINA. 
Chap. XV. 
accompanied a gentleman of my acquaintance on an 
errand of this kind. When we had proceeded about six 
or eight miles from Shanghae we observed a good- 
looking house in a wood hard by, and determined to pay 
it a visit and see whether the occupant would be inclined 
to let it. As we drew near, all was still and quiet ; not 
even our old enemies, the dogs, appeared to dispute our 
approach. When the Chinese — who always followed us 
in considerable numbers wherever we went — saw us 
approaching the house, they stood still at a little dis- 
tance, watching our proceedings with a great degree of 
interest. We knocked at the door of the mansion, and 
then stood at one side, so that the porter might not see 
that his visitors were the Hong-mou-jins, or red-haired 
race, as they are pleased to call the English ; for we 
well knew that, if we were seen, the door would not be 
opened. In a few seconds we heard the sounds of feet, 
and then a voice summoned us to know our business. 
We mumbled something in Chinese, and the poor man, 
quite unconscious of his danger, threw open the door. I 
shall never forget the look of mingled fear and astonish- 
ment which he gave us as we quietly walked into the 
court; at the same time the group of natives outside 
were indulging in hearty laughter at the way in which 
he had been entrapped. 
The court-yard, where we now were, was neatly paved, 
and the whole of the house appeared to be in excellent 
repair. As we were led from room to room by our 
terrified guide, everything appeared quite suitable for a 
country residence, at least as good as one could expect 
