CHAPTER XVI.
THE JOURNEY FROM YUNNAN CITY TO TALIFU.
I sold the mule in Yunnan City, and bought instead a little white pony at a cost, including saddle, bridle, and bells, of _L3 6s._ In doing this I reversed the exchange that would have been made by a Chinaman.

A mule is a more aristocratic animal than a pony; it thrives better on a journey, and is more sure-footed.

If a pony, the Chinese tell you, lets slip one foot, the other three follow; whereas a mule, if three feet slip from under him, will hold on with the fourth.
My men, who had come with me from Chaotong, were paid off in Yunnan; but it was pleasant to find all three accept an offer to go on with me to Talifu.

Coolies to do this journey are usually supplied by the coolie agents for the wage of two _chien_ a day each (_7d._), each man to carry seventy catties (93lbs.), find himself by the way, and spend thirteen days on the journey.

But no coolies, owing to the increase in the price of food, were now willing to go for so little.