While saying this, I inadvertently left on my box, so that all might see it, the letter of introduction to the Brigadier-General in Tengyueh, which was calculated to give the natives an indication of the class of Chinese who had the privilege to be admitted to my friendship.
The official was very polite and apologetic.

I freely forgave him, and we had tea together.
He had done it all for the best.

A moneyed foreigner was passing through his town near sundown without stopping to spend a single cash there.

Was it not his duty, as a public-spirited man, to interfere and avert this loss, and compel the stranger to spend at least one night within his gates?
This was what I wrote at the time.

I subsequently found that I had been sent for to come back because the road was believed to be dangerous, there was no secure resting-place, and the authorities could not guarantee my safety.