My friend had a beard like a Welsh bard's, and, though a younger man than his years, forty-four, there was not a native who saw him, who did not gaze upon him with awe, as a possible Buddha, and not one who attributed to him an age less than eighty.
Next day, the 28th of April, despite my misgivings, my men fulfilled their promise, and led me into Tali on the ninth day out from Yunnan.

We had come 307 miles in nine days.

They walked all the way, living frugally on scanty rations.

I walked only 210 miles; I was better fed than they, and I had a pony at my hand ready to carry me whenever I was tired.
My men thus earned a reward of eighteen pence each for doing thirteen stages in nine days.

Long before daylight we were on our way.