Page:Ling-Nam; or, Interior views of southern China, including explorations in the hitherto untraversed island of Hainan (IA cu31924023225307).pdf/122

 118 Ling-Nam.

“Oh!” IT replied, “you have come to invite these people to eat morning rice with you. I am sure they will all appreciate your kindness very much.”

Then turning to the people, I said,

“If this young man so generously invites you to eat his rice, do not hesitate to accept his invitation,”

The people burst into a loud laugh at the young man’s expense, who went away crestfallen, and through- out the whole day I had no further trouble or annoyance. Four hundred and sixty books and tracts of various sizes were sold.

My crew did not fare so well in their affairs. Contrary to express stipulation, they had secreted a dozen bags of salt, on which they hoped to make a fair profit; hut the people, mindful of the bitter experience of the previous year, would have nothing to do with it, not being willing to take it asa gift, so that they were compelled to take it back to a town down the river, and dispose of it at cost price. I was not sorry for them, as they had placed me in the position of one who connived at smuggling.