. A'Chu and other stories. animal chose forhimself where he would walk and how much he wouldpull. Qnly when his rope slackened too much, a flour-ish of the big whip reminded the lagger that everycart mule is expected to do his part. Over hillocks and hummocks, along gutters, throughrows of ruts, we finally arrived before the village this point the roadway narrows and climbs a shortbut very steep ascent to the arched gateway. A hugestone lay deeply embedded in the earth across thethreshold. This stone was very convenient for thetwo wings of the gate to rest upon when , it
. A'Chu and other stories. animal chose forhimself where he would walk and how much he wouldpull. Qnly when his rope slackened too much, a flour-ish of the big whip reminded the lagger that everycart mule is expected to do his part. Over hillocks and hummocks, along gutters, throughrows of ruts, we finally arrived before the village this point the roadway narrows and climbs a shortbut very steep ascent to the arched gateway. A hugestone lay deeply embedded in the earth across thethreshold. This stone was very convenient for thetwo wings of the gate to rest upon when , it completely stopped the space below the With Mule Carts and Drivers 67 gate so that no wild animal or mischievous person couldcrawl in under it at night. However, the stone pro-jected a full half foot above the earth, and provedto be an uncomfortable spot in the road. The driversjumped from their carts and lashed the team into arun up the steep. Urged by another cut, the mulessprang forward and jerked the cart to the top of. MULE CAKT BEFORE THE MISSION HOUSE IN SHAKG-TSAI The usual means of travel in central China. the great stone. It balanced for an instant, thendropped down on the other side. The wheel-mulegroaned with the shock to his spine. So did was almost nine oclock before the last cartloadhad come up the steep, over the stone threshold, andinto the court of the village inn. AT THE INN The innkeeper had agreed to allow us a room toourselves on condition that we pay a few cents more 68 AChu and Other Stories than the usual price for our lodging. We con-sented, though we guessed it was quite unnecessary,since none of the other guests would be willing toshare a room with the queer foreigners. The room contained two stools, two beds withoutmattress or bedding, and a small table on which thelamp was placed. This lamp was an earthen dishcontaining oil and the tiny round pith of a plant stalkfor a wick. Several times after it was lighted somemember of the family came in
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