But, whether thirty or two hundred and fifty years old, the fort is now one in name only, and is at present occupied by a garrison of peaceful peasantry.
Chinamen that we met asked us politely "if we had eaten our rice," and "whither were we going." We answered correctly.

But when with equal politeness we asked the wayfarer where he was going, he jerked his chin towards the horizon and said, "a long way." We called at the residence of a rich young Chinese, who had lately received it in his inheritance, together with 3000 acres of farmland, which, we were told, yield him an annual income of 70,000 taels.

In the absence of the master, who was away in the country reading with his tutor for the Hanlin degree, we were received by the caretakers, who showed us the handsome guest chambers, the splendid gilded tablet, the large courts, and garden rockeries.

A handsome residence is this, solidly built of wood and masonry, and with the trellis work carved with much elaboration.
It was late when we returned to the mission, and after dark when I went on board my little wupan.

My boys had not been idle.