Chap. I. 
A TRAVELLER'S MAXIM. 
21 
where to be seen — they had either gone some other 
road, or, what was more probable, had intentionally 
kept out of the way in case of any disturbance. I was 
now in a dilemma, and did not clearly see my way out 
of it. Much to my surprise and pleasure, however, 
another chair was brought me, and I was informed that 
I was to proceed in it. I now understood how the 
business had been managed. The innkeeper had in- 
trusted the first bearers with a sum of money sufficient 
to hire another chair for the second stage of the journey. 
Part of this sum, however, had been spent by them in 
tea and tobacco as we came along, and the second 
bearers could not be induced to take me on for the 
sum which was left. A brawl now ensued between 
the two sets of chairmen, which was noisy enough ; but 
as such things are quite common in China, it seemed, 
fortunately for me, to attract but little notice. The 
situation in which I was now placed was rather critical, 
and far from an enviable one. Had it been known that 
a foreigner was in the very heart of the city of Hang- 
chow-foo, a mob would have soon collected, and the 
consequences might have been serious. 
" Take things coolly and never lose your temper 
should be the motto of every one who attempts to travel 
in China. This is always the best plan, for, if you allow 
things to take their course, ten to one you will get out 
of a dilemma like that in which I was now placed ; but 
if you attempt to interfere, you will probably make 
matters worse. These were the principles on which I 
generally acted ; but in the present instance I was not 
allowed to carry them out to theu: fullest extent. 
