But I noticed that Laohwan kept looking back at the impoverished town, shaking his head and stuttering "_pu-pu-pu-pu-hao! pu-pu-pu-hao!_" (bad! bad!) We had thus gone half a mile or so, when we were arrested by cries behind us, and our last chairen was seen running, panting, after us.

We waited for him; he was absurdly excited, and could hardly speak.
He made an address to me, speaking with great energy and gesticulation; but what was its purport, _Dios sabe_.

When he had finished, not to be outdone in politeness, I thanked him in English for the kindly phrases in which he had spoken to me, assured him of my continued sympathy, and undertook to say that, if ever he came to Geelong, he would find there a house at his disposition, and a friend who would be ever ready to do him a service.

He seemed completely mystified, and began to speak again, more excitedly than before.

It was getting late, and a crowd was collecting, so I checked him by waving my left hand before my face and bawling at him with all my voice: "_Putung_, you stupid ass, _putung_ (I don't understand)! Can't you see I don't understand a word you say, you benighted heathen you?
_Putung_, man, _putung_! Advance Australia, _dzo_ (go)!" And, swinging open my umbrella, I walked on.