Returning to the inn I found many of the soldiers
standing about in the street, chaffing with the inhabitants,
buying oranges from the children, and drinking tea at the
tea-shops. They seemed to be plentifully supplied with
money and paid for everything they bought, which was all
these village people cared about, They became interested
in my shot-gun, and requested me to show them how it
worked, whereupon we fell to chatting.
At last my porters appeared, and shortly before mid-day



216 The Revolutionist Occupation of La-chi-mi

we got off, now left to our own resources since we were no
longer under official protection. We had scarcely entered
the ravine below the village, when there came a shout from
behind and Captain Li, surrounded by a little knot of
retainers running fast in order to keep up, rode rapidly by.
Seeing me however, he reined in his pony, and very politely
enquired my business and whither I was bound. I answered
his questions, wished him God speed, and he dashed ahead
to meet his troops who were on their way up from the
Mekong. Half an hour later we fell in with the main body
of the revolutionists — but what a change !

They formed none the less a striking picture winding in
single file up the narrow ravine, rather more than two
hundred of them, though the majority were baggage coolies.
