Book contents
- Frontmatter
- PREFACE
- Contents
- ILLUSTRATIONS
- CHAPTER I
- CHAPTER II
- CHAPTER III
- CHAPTER IV
- CHAPTER V
- CHAPTER VI
- CHAPTER VII
- CHAPTER VIII
- CHAPTER IX
- CHAPTER X
- CHAPTER XI
- CHAPTER XII
- CHAPTER XIII
- CHAPTER XIV
- CHAPTER XV
- CHAPTER XVI
- CHAPTER XVII
- CHAPTER XVIII
- CHAPTER XIX
- CHAPTER XX
- CHAPTER XXI
- CHAPTER XXII
- CHAPTER XXIII
- CHAPTER XXIV
- CHAPTER XXV
- Frontmatter
- PREFACE
- Contents
- ILLUSTRATIONS
- CHAPTER I
- CHAPTER II
- CHAPTER III
- CHAPTER IV
- CHAPTER V
- CHAPTER VI
- CHAPTER VII
- CHAPTER VIII
- CHAPTER IX
- CHAPTER X
- CHAPTER XI
- CHAPTER XII
- CHAPTER XIII
- CHAPTER XIV
- CHAPTER XV
- CHAPTER XVI
- CHAPTER XVII
- CHAPTER XVIII
- CHAPTER XIX
- CHAPTER XX
- CHAPTER XXI
- CHAPTER XXII
- CHAPTER XXIII
- CHAPTER XXIV
- CHAPTER XXV
Summary
Not long after leaving home we discovered that our ‘walking map’ had made good use of his opportunities. In every district through which he had passed he seems to have acquired any wickedness that might be new and fashionable, and he grew especially proficient in the art of harassing his unfortunate travellers. He was, as all bullies are, a coward, for if we were near a magistrate's bureau he was as respectful and honest as possible; but when we came to caravanseries, and where the scum of the cities had collected, he was quite unbearable. He drank and gambled, and when anxious to show off before the roughs he was something fearful. He always carried an open knife in his sleeve, and threatened all who displeased him. He was, without exception, the worst muleteer we ever travelled with.
Only the utmost forbearance on the part of my husband, and a complete knowledge of the rules of the road, enabled us to get along in safety. The roughs instinctively recognised the man who was neither going to be plundered nor frightened.
Our experiences with that muleteer made me pity mandarins who have to take charge of such ruffians; and one can scarcely be surprised that capital punishment is so often resorted to in order to keep such scoundrels in awe. These villains are not simply brutish. They are astute, keen-minded men, and therefore can do much mischief.
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- Information
- Old Highways in China , pp. 207 - 217Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2010First published in: 1884