foreign devil is reading characters." I turn
to see an eye filling the space of a torn piece of window paper,
shamelessly scrutinising me, and as I do so the intruder withdraws to
discuss with the muleteers my failings, virtues, and intimate habits.
Long before light the men are calling us, and we arise, anxious to lose
none of the cool morning air. Delays occur, for last night a portion of
the harness was pawned to pay for the men's supper. Either we supply the
necessary money to redeem the pledge, or wait there indefinitely. We
first declare that nothing will make us produce that sum which they are
not entitled to receive until the journey's end, but both they and we
know that a compromise must be effected. Alas, it is already light and
the sun rises glorious, but to-day we are to reach home, and nothing
seems hard. A short stay for dinner, and at sunset the gates of Hwochow
are visible. I cannot describe these homecomings; the welcomers and
welcomed know, and that is enough.

FOOTNOTE:

[7] Vermicelli--cut with a knife.

THE BUILDERS

"The house is not for me, it is for Him.
His Royal thoughts require many a stair,
Many a tower, many an outlook fair,
Of which I have no thought, and need no care.
Where I am most perplexed, it may be there
Thou makest a secret chamber holy--dim,
Where Thou wilt come to help my deepest prayer."
GEORGE MACDONALD.

"Toil, workman, toil; thy gracious Lord
Will give thee soon a full reward;
Then toil, obedient to His word,
Until He come.

Sing, pilgrim, sing; Christ's mighty Hand
Will bring thee safe to that bright land;
Then sing--it is thy Lord's command--
Until He come."
ANON.

CHAPTER XV

THE BUILDERS

RELATING HOW THE SUPPLIES WERE USED

IN an incredibly short space of time our compound was overrun by a gang
of one hundred men from the province of Honan. The land in Southern
Shansi has been too fertile and yielded too rich a crop of opium to
leave us good workmen; when therefore we want work quickly and well
done, we inquire for a Honan or Shantung man.

Our helpers searched the countryside for likely trees, which were felled
and in a few days made their reappearance as pillars and beams. Old
buildings were bought