CHINA AT LAST. 367

“Then we must go to his house,’ declared Uncle Nat; “and, boys,
don’t you want to ride in a sedan-chair?”

The boys were ready for any novel sort of a vehicle—a sedan-chair,
an elephant’s back, a camel’s hump, a balloon, or the tail of a
comet.

“Here, Rick; here, Ralph ; a chair for each of you! Pop in, boys;
pop quick!”

“See those girls!” said Ralph.

“Can’t stop to look at females now; pop in,” cried Uncle Nat,
and in they popped.

They found that a sedan-chair was a kind of box sporting a top,
and in the box was a caned seat. This odd style of vehicle was
suspended from two long poles that rested on the shoulders of two
bare-legged Chinamen wearing immense hats.

“When, boys, you want them to go faster, say ‘chop-chop!’ When
you want them to go slower, say ‘man-man!’ They will understand
you.” :

“ All right, uncle,” replied Rick.

In a few minutes Rick said mildly, “ Chop-chop.”

The bearers quickened their pace. Rick was as delighted as young
Phaeton when he drove the horses of the sun.

“ Chop-chop !”

They went faster.

“ Chop-chop !”

‘Once again they stepped more briskly.

“ Chop-chop !” »

Faster. —

“ Chop-chop !”

Faster yet.

*“‘ Halloo, there, Rick; say man-man!”

~