im: or
before the tribunal, if it be necessary, at Peking; they know their way
thither." White button mounted and disappeared. The host came to us
immediately, and begged us to be resolute. "If you remain here," said he
to us, "I am sure to profit a little by you; but if the Mandarin takes
your place, his people will turn my inn upside down, will make us work
all night, and then go away in the morning without paying a farthing.
And besides that, if I were forced to send you away would not the Hotel
of the Five Felicities lose its reputation? Who would afterwards enter
an inn where they receive travellers only for the purpose of turning them
out again?" Whilst the host was exhorting us to courage, the courier of
the Mandarin reappeared; he dismounted and made us a profound bow, which
we returned with the best grace possible. "Sirs Lamas," said he, "I have
ridden through Hia-Ho-Po; there is no other convenient inn. Who says you
are bound to cede to us your place? To speak so were to talk
inconsistently with reason! Now, observe, Sirs Lamas; we are all
travellers: we are all men far distant from our families; cannot we
consult together in a friendly manner and arrange the matter like
brothers?" "No doubt," said we, "men ought always to deal together like
brothers; that is the true principle. When we travel, we should live
like travellers. When each gives way a little, all are, in the end,
accommodated." "Excellent saying! excellent saying!" cried the courier;
and thereupon the most profound bows recommenced on both sides.

After this brief introduction, which had perfectly reconciled both
parties, we deliberated amicably how we should best arrange our common
residence in the Hotel of the Five Felicities. It was agreed that we
should keep the room in which we were already installed, and that we
should tie up our camels in a corner of the court, so that they might not
terrify the horses of the Mandarin. The courier was to dispose of the
rest of the place as he pleased. We hastened to remove our camels from
the door of our room and to place them as had been settled. Just after
sun-set we heard the Mandarin's party approaching. The two folding doors
of the great gate were solemnly opened, and a carriage drawn by three
mules advanced into the middle of the court of the inn, escorted by a
numerous body of horsemen. In the carriage was seated a man about sixty
years old, with grey mustachios and beard, and havin