The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-07-01
TRAVELLERS IN CHINA.
LOOKING OUT FOR ROUTES FOR A
GREAT RAILROAD.

Unwelcome Attentions from Curious
Crowd of Men and Boys-PolitenesB OF
the Governor General-An Apology for
the Persistent Intruders.
We had sent Wang Fuyeh with our
passports to the governor generals
Yamen, with instructions to say, if agree
able to him we should call and pay our
respects, and SO far as might be necessary
explain the object of our travelling In that
part of Honan. We had already been In
formed by young mandarin connected
with the Yamen who had crossed the river
with us, that the. governor general was
only temporarily holding the office, that
he was not well, and that new governor
general was expected soon, hence we
anticipated that it might Eot be con-
yenient for him to receive Us, and in
structed Wang Fuyeh to say, in that case,
that Ye were examining the Yellow Fsger
and its entertainments, and would Like to
have passports into the province OF Shan
tung, togetherw with;;a guard of policemen
or soldiers to protect our inn and relieve
us of the !unwelcorne attentions OF the
crowd of men and boys who were gather
inc fbe1.A,.UII f.-gA->-. si'*--' ''''' : -
During the absence of our messenger
they continued to collect in the outer
court, which was now densely packed, and
to press upon the inner gateway. Finally,
through the persistency and activity OF
the boys In front, and of the pressure or
tbA men. behind and perhaps also through
the relaxed vigilance of our servants, they
succeeded in & uuhinging the gate and
gained admission into the inner court.
around which ourselves andiserEsnts had
been assigned to rooms. The first thing
which attracted their attention and seemed
in some degree to satisfy their curiosity,
was "Ferguson," our big Chinese cook,
with his charcoal fire and pots and pans,
preparing dinner: This was evidently q
rare treat to them, and enabled our men
To hold them in check opposite the kitchen
door, about twelve feet from our own, for
perhaps twenty minutes, but during this
time the pressure from behind increased,
and the inner courtyard which was only
thirty-six t. feet long by twelve
wide, became crowded to suffoca-
ton. Ii Aleck and the three
Hboys,n, aided at times by Ferguson,
screamed themselves hoarse and eX-
hausted all their strength in their efforts
to expel the intruders without doing them
bodily harm Our visitors had but little
to say, but with wide open eyes and gap'
ing mouths they pressed each other
steadily forward, recoiling whenever, the
servants made a threatening rush at
them, and then, as they retreated, edging
little further into the open space just
outside OF, our door, which: was closed and
covered by cotton portiere.
The governor general received our mes
senger very politely, but said it would not
be necessary for US to call, unless we had
something important to communicate, and
he would not call on US because he had
sore eyes, but would send one !of his man
darins to- give us such assistance as we
might require. He also said he would
send guard ct once. Wang Fuyeh had
scarcely finished his report when man
DARN, wearing the crystal button and pea
cocks feather, and clad in silk and furs,
made his appearance, accompanied by his
chairnen and retainers, bearing high state
umbrellas and spears, uud wearing ofdciH
hats, and all this state YVES to bring the
g vernon generals return cards. After
leaving them he departed hastily, and the
crowd lost no time in.pressing into the
inner court and up to our door again. We
gathered our servants once more and
drove the crowd back nearly to the street,
when we were again stopped in the full
tide of victory by the coming OF still
more stately manderin with banners and
umbrellas, and a larger and more snowy
r0glnue. i = ...-G - -.
It would not do to be caught out Of our
quarters or engaged such an occupation
BY distinguished Wis tor, SO we returned
to our room and received him with AL the
state we could assume. On entering he
bowed and saluted US politely in the usual
Chinese way by clasping his hands and
raising them to his face, and we returned
his greeting in the same manner, after
which we showed him to seat, and
short conversation followed. He told US
that he had been set by the governor gen
eral, and asked us what assistance we re-
quired. Being bright and Intelligent
man, he took in the situation at once,
apologized for the roughness Of the people
of Kai-fung-fu, and said he would explain
to them that we meant them no harm, but
had come on friendly mission. He lntl-
mated, however, that as soon as we were
rested and had got such supplies as we de-
sired, we had better resume our journey.
Before taking his leave ne directed one of
his own attendants to remain with us, and
he would send guard without delay to
drive out our unwelcome visitors and keep
order. The single man left with us did
his level best to guard the inner gate and
hold it against the increasing pressure
from without, but heS5yas overpowered
and pressed back like the rest, and finally
folded his hands in despair. Our servants
s, IL stood their ground as best they could,
but were at last pressed back against our
door. 1t was now nearly half past 5. and
no policemen had yet made their appear
ance.
The most venturesome Of the crowd had
gained our windows and begun poking
holes through the paper panes for the pur-
pose of looking in, and thereupon we sal
lied out for the last time and went for the
heathen Chinee in way they were not
slow to understand. Our servants and
carriers came to our assistance manfully,