Chap. I. 
A "CHOP.' 
23 
happen next. The only thing I could make out was, 
that they were taking me to a Hong-le, but what a 
Hong-le was, was beyond my comprehension. 
To carry out my own principles and trust to circum- 
stances seemed to be the only way of proceeding, and I 
gave myself very little uneasiness about the result. At 
length I heard the men say that here was the Hong-le, 
and, as I was about to look and see what this might be, 
the chair was set down, and it was intimated to me that 
we had reached the end of the journey. Greatly to my 
surprise and pleasure I now found that this Hong-le was 
a quiet and comfortable Chinese inn, which was fre- 
quented by passengers from all parts of the country. 
Getting out of my chair, I walked quietly up to the 
farther end of the large hall, and began to look amongst 
a number of packages which were heaped up there for my 
own luggage. I had seen nothing of either that or my 
servants since I left the former inn. It had arrived^ 
however, quite safely, having been sent on by a coolie 
before me, and in a few minutes my two men also made 
their appearance. 
We now informed the innkeeper that we wanted to 
go up the river to Hwuy-chow, and made inquiries 
regarding a boat. We soon found that it was part of 
his trade to give " chops,'' or to " secure " boatmen 
Everything is done upon this plan in China. When a 
servant is engaged, or a boat hired, it is always necessary 
for the said servant or boatman to produce some respect- 
able householder, who for a certain sum becomes bound 
for him in a written "chop " or agreement. This "chop'' 
is handed over to the master of the servant, or to the 
