were just such as you describe yours to have been, were
from Shih-mun-wan, and he had to take them to Hai-ning to-night, where
he was to be paid at the rate of ten cash a pound." From this I
concluded that my goods were on before me; but it was impossible to
follow them at once, for I was too tired to walk, and it was already
dark.

Under these circumstances all I could do was to seek a lodging for the
night; and no easy task I found it. After raising my heart to GOD to ask
His aid, I walked through to the farther end of the town, where I
thought the tidings of a foreigner's being in the place might not have
spread, and looked out for an inn. I soon came to one, and went in,
hoping that I might pass unquestioned, as it was already dark. Asking
the bill of fare, I was told that cold rice--which proved to be more
than "rather burnt"--and snakes, fried in lamp-oil, were all that could
be had. Not wishing any question to be raised as to my nationality, I
was compelled to order some, and tried to make a meal, but with little
success.

While thus engaged I said to the landlord, "I suppose I can arrange to
spend the night here?"

To which he replied in the affirmative; but bringing out his book, he
added--

"In these unsettled times we are required by the authorities to keep a
record of our lodgers: may I ask your respected family name?"

"My unworthy family name is Tai," I responded.

"And your honourable second name?"

"My humble name is Ia-koh" (James).

"What an extraordinary name! I never heard it before. How do you write
it?"

I told him, and added, "It is a common name in the district from which I
come."

"And may I ask whence you come and whither you are going?"

"I am journeying from Shanghai to Ningpo, by way of Hang-chau."

"What may be your honourable profession?"

"I heal the sick."

"Oh! you are a physician," the landlord remarked; and to my intense
relief closed the book. His wife, however, took up the conversation.

"You are a physician, are you?" said she; "I am glad of that, for I have
a daughter afflicted with leprosy. If you will cure her, you shall have
your supper and bed for nothing."

I was curious enough to inquire what my supper and bed were to cost, if
paid for; and to my amusement found they were worth less than
three-halfpence of our money!

Being unable to benefit the girl, I declined to prescribe for her,
saying that leprosy was a very intractable disease, and that I had n