was warned not to do so, as the Chinese imagine that
foreigners make their medicine out of children's eyes and
brains, and our crowds of watching Chinese might quickly become
an infuriated mob.

Immediately on our arrival, we had sent our cards to the
district magistrate and in the afternoon he sent us an elaborate
feast. As we were about to retire that evening, he called in a
gorgeous chair with a retinue of twenty attendants. He stayed
half an hour and was very cordial, and we had a pleasant interview.
Wei-hsien is famous for its embroideries, and great
quantities are made, the women workers receiving about fifty
small cash a day (less than two cents). It was not necessary
to go to the stores as in America. The shopkeepers brought a
great number of pieces to our inn, covering the kang and every
available table, chair and box with exquisite bits of handiwork.
Lured by the sight I became reckless and bought four
handsome pieces for 19,800 small cash ($6.06).

Resuming our journey on a warm, sunny day, we entered
Chiang-loa at noon. It was market day, and the greatest
crowd yet fairly blocked the streets. The soldiers had difficulty
in clearing a way for us. But while much curiosity
was expressed, there was no sign of hostility. Then we
journeyed on through the interminable fields of ripening wheat.
Soon, mountains, which we had dimly seen for several hours,
grew more distinct and as we approached Ching-chou-fu towards
evening, the scene was one of great beauty--the yellowing
grain gently undulating in the soft breeze, the mountains
not really more than 3,000 feet in height, but from our stand