CHAPTER XXVII

Summary

SINCE leaving Newchwang, the country appeared to be rising, yet so gradually as almost to be imperceptible; and it still bore the same well-tilled agreeable aspect it had done, with some few exceptions, all along our ride. Harvest operations had just commenced; the weather was lovely; and there seemed to be nothing wanting to complete the happiness of the peasantry, who thronged in the fields singing and toiling. Everywhere, the land — which was light — looked to be productive and rich in all the elements necessary for the culture of the plants grown upon it, without requiring a very great amount of manure or labour; and the neighbourhood of the hills, with the prevalence of sea breezes, must have greatly favoured the abundance and quality of the cereals so largely dealt in.

As we advanced, we got glimpses of never-tiring scouts galloping a long way ahead, who did us no manner of service, so far as we could see; but who, on the contrary, collected all the idle and curious of all the hamlets and villages near by their reports, and we found these assembled at some convenient spot close to which we must pass, where they pryed, joked, and speculated regarding us.

The people were, however, to all intents and purposes—considering the wonderful sight of two such mortals as we must have appeared to them — civil and well-behaved, and not a fault could we find with their conduct in any way.