The boy travellers in the Far East : adventures of two youths ... - Library

THE ROAD TO PEKIN. '357
iiinet}^ miles long, and is one of tlie worst in the world, when we consider
how long it has been in use. According to Chinese history, it was built
about two thousand yeiivs ago. Fraidc said he could readily believe that it
was at least two thousand years old, and Fred thought it had never been
repaired since it was tii-st opened to the public. It was paved with large
stones for a good portion of the way, and these stones have been worn
into deep ruts, so that the track is anything but agreeable for a carriage.
The only wheeled vehicles in this part of China are carts without springs,
and mounted on a single axle ; the body rests directly on the axle, so that
every jolt is conveyed to the persun inside, and he feels after a day's
jonrney very much as though he had been run through a winnowing-
machine.
The Chinese cart is too short for an average-sized person to lie in at
full length, and too low to allow him to sit erect ; it has a small window
on each side, so placed that it is next to impossible to look out and see
what there is along the route. Altogether it is a most uncomfortable
vehicle to travel in, and the boys thought they would go on foot rather
than ride in one of them.
But it was not necessary to go on foot, as they were able to hire ponies
for the journey, and it "was agreed all round that a little roughness on
horseback for a couple of days would do no harm. So they made a con-
tract with a Chinese, who had been reconnnended to them by the consul
as a good man, to carry them to Pekin. It was arranged that they should
take an early start, so as to reach a village a little more than half way by
nightfall, and they retired early in order to have a good night's sleep.
They had time for a little stroll before they went to bed, and so they em-
ployed it in visiting the " Temple of the Oceanic Influences," whei'e the
treaty of Tien-tsin was signed after the capture of the Takn forts and the
advance of the English to the city. The temple is on a jdain outside of
the walls, and contains a large hall, which was very convenient for the im-
portant ceremonial that took place there. At the time the treaty was
signed the British oflBcers were in full uniform, and made a fine appear-
ance, while the Chinese were not a whit behind them in gorgeousness of
apparel. Contrary to their usual custom, the Chinese did not thiidv it
necessary to hang up any elaborate decorations in the hall, and the attention
of the spectators was concentrated on the dignitaries who managed
the affair.
There is another way of travelling in China, which is by means of a
mule litter. This is a sort of sedan-chair carried by mules instead of
men ; one mule walks in front, and another in the reai', and the litter is