272 
WANDERINGS IN CHINA. Chap. XVI- 
which I continued as firmly to refuse. Another long 
private conference between them was now held, which, 
I suppose, ended in a determination to try what effect 
could be produced on my servant, who was accordingly 
sent for. He was desired to tell me that the distance 
between Chapoo and Shanghae was very great, and that 
the roads were infested with bands of robbers who 
were sure to attack us ; and that they could not answer 
for the consequences unless another boat and some of 
their own soldiers went along with us for protection. 
" Tell them," said I, " that I have made up my mind to 
travel in my usual way, and that no arguments which 
can be used will induce me to change my opinion, and 
that the arms which I have shown them are quite 
sufficient to repel the attacks of any robbers whom I 
may meet on the road/' As a last resource they sent an 
officer and his servant to me, who said that they were 
going to Shanghae, and would be extremely obliged if I 
would allow them to accompany me. I was obliged to 
meet even this civil request with a refusal ; and the 
mandarins, finding that they must either use force or 
allow me to have my own way, finally gave up the 
contest. 
A boatman now made his appearance, and announced 
that he was ready to proceed to Shanghae. When I 
rose to take my leave, I found that all the servants and 
retainers had been ordered out for the purpose of 
keeping off the crowd and seeing me safely into the 
boat. The two mandarins accompanied me, and we 
marched off to the canal in grand style. The crowd 
which had assembled was immense, but they were all 
