Occasionally my head dropped, and this was
a signal for one of them to rise; but I at once roused myself and made
some remark. As the night slowly passed on, I felt very weary; and to
keep myself awake, as well as to cheer my mind, I sang several hymns,
repeated aloud some portions of Scripture, and engaged in prayer in
English, to the great annoyance of my companions, who seemed as if they
would have given anything to get me to desist. After that they troubled
me no more; and shortly before dawn of day they left me, and I got a
little sleep.

_August 6th._

I was awakened by the young man who had so misled me on the previous
evening. He was very rude, and insisted on my getting up and paying him
for his trouble, and even went so far as to try to accomplish by force
what he wanted. This roused me; and in an unguarded moment, with very
improper feeling, I seized his arm with such a grasp as he little
expected I was capable of, and dared him to lay a finger upon me again
or to annoy me further. This quite changed his manner; he let me quietly
remain till the guns announced the opening of the gates of the city, and
then he begged me to give him some money to buy opium with. It is
needless to say this was refused. I gave him the price of two candles,
that he said he had burnt while with me last night and no more. I
learned he was connected with one of the mandarin's offices.

As soon as possible, I bought some rice gruel and tea for breakfast, and
then once more made a personal search after my things. Some hours thus
spent proving unavailing, I set out on the return journey, and after a
long, weary, and painful walk reached Chang-gan about noon. Here also my
inquiries failed to give me any trace of the missing goods; so I had a
meal cooked in a tea-shop, got a thorough wash and bathed my inflamed
feet, and after dinner rested and slept till four in the afternoon.

Much refreshed, I then set on to return to the city, at the South Gate
of which I had parted with my servant and coolies two days before. On
the way I was led to reflect on the goodness of GOD, and recollected
that I had not made it a matter of prayer that I might be provided with
lodgings last night. I felt condemned, too, that I should have been so
anxious for my few things, while the many precious souls around me had
caused so little emotion. I came as a sinner and pleaded the blood of
JESUS, realising th