There was no written agreement of any kind--none of the three men could read; they did not even see the money that the missionary was to get for them; but they had absolute confidence in our good faith.
I had a mule with me from Tongchuan to Yunnan, which saved me many miles of walking, and increased my importance in the eyes of the heathen.

I was taking it to the capital for sale.

It was a big-boned rough-hewn animal, of superior intelligence, and I was authorised to sell it, together with its saddle and bridle, for four pounds.

Like most Chinese mules it had two corns on the forelegs, and thus could see at night.
Every Chinaman knows that the corns are adventitious eyes which give the mule this remarkable power.
We were on our way early in the afternoon of the 7th, going up the valley.

Below the curiously draped pagoda which commands Tongchuan we met two pairs of prisoners, who were being led into the city under escort.