Peking to Lhasa : vol.1 / Page 68 (Color Image)

0068	Peking to Lhasa : vol.1

38 PEKING TO LHASA

A number of the officials are themselves opium

smokers.

There was an Italian bishop and a fine

cathedral at Han-chung. The only British were

Mr. Easton, who had been there forty years, and

his wife. He belonged to the China Inland

Mission.

More evidence of the lawless state of the

country was afforded by the request of the officials

that Pereira should proceed by the small southern

road instead of by the big western road. They

declared that the Red Lantern Society held part

of the latter. This society held other parts as

well. They were remnants of the old Boxers and

proclaimed themselves invulnerable. They wore

red sashes and carried long swords.

And it was not only the brigands who caused

trouble to Pereira. Through the soldiers com-

mandeering mules he could get no mules. The

soldiers give the muleteers enough money to buy

food each day. But often when they have done

with the mules they keep them and give the

muleteers nothing for them. The soldiers also a

took things without paying for them, or would

only pay what they liked, and if the shopkeeper

objected they would give him a blow or threaten

him with a knife. They also cut down the trees

without paying for them.

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