And I noticed that our guide always hurried us past these gateways, peeps through which were wonderfully attractive, showing as they did glimpses of gardens which looked like glorified, highly-coloured representations of our old friends the willow-pattern plates.
One in particular was so open that Smith stopped short, heedless of the presence of three fierce-looking Chinamen, with showy robes and long pendent moustachios.
"Look here, boys," he cried.

"What a game! Here's the old bridge over the water, and the cannon-ball tree, and the gold-fish pond, and--" "Come 'long," whispered Ching hurriedly; and he caught our comrade by the arm, forcing him onward as the guards scowled at us fiercely.
"Here, what are you up to ?" cried Smith, resenting the interference.
"Take velly much care of Englis' offlicers.

Big mandalin live there.
Men sword velly sharp--cut off head." "Bosh!" said Smith shortly; "they'd better." "Oh no, they hadn't," cried Barkins.

"We don't want to take you on board without any head." "But they daren't hurt us," cried Smith bumptiously.

"We're Englishmen, and our gunboat is in the river.