His excitement increased--we must go back to the town; he seized me by the wrists, and urged me to go back.

We had a slight discussion; his feet gave from under him and he fell down, and I was going on cheerfully when he burst out crying.

This I interpreted to mean that he would get into trouble if I did not return, so, of course, I turned back at once, for the tears of a Chinaman are sadly affecting.

Back, then, we were taken to an excellent inn in the main street, where a respectful _levee_ of the townsfolk had assembled to welcome me.

A polite official called upon me, to whom I showed, with simulated indignation, my official card and my Chinese passport, and I hinted to him in English that this interference with my rights as a traveller from England, protected by the favour of the Emperor, would--let him mark my word--be made an international question.