Page:A wandering student in the Far East vol.1 - Zetland.djvu/233

Rh, and most conservative of empires." For pamphlets, compiled by Yün-nan students who had studied in Japan, had been recently distributed exhorting their fellow-countrymen to treat strangers and foreigners with all respect, but at the same time to make themselves strong, and to resist strenuously encroachments upon their province from without. France, it was pointed out, was a dangerous neighbour, who was even now constructing a railway into the heart of Yūn-nan. Let them see to it that no more such concessions were granted to foreign Powers.

I was obliged to spend a day at Chao-t'ung Fu bargaining with my men. A thousand mule-loads of ammunition were being sent through to the capital, with the result that transport was scarce and prices high. Eventually I came to terms with the men who had accompanied me from Sui Fu to take me to Yün-nan Fu, 5 taels—roughly 15s.—being the price agreed upon for the chair-bearers, and a trifle less for the ordinary coolies, for the thirteen days' march.