eighteen feet outside the village and near the main road. As the clay was excavated deep pits were formed, which eventually became deep pools of water. As the demand for clay increased, the road leading from Three Bridges to Ten Li became greatly encroached on by the excavators, and a climax was reached when, the road having become so narrowed by the clay-diggers, carts were unable to pass. This resulted in the precipitation of a cart from Three Bridges, laden with manufactured pottery, into a deep water hole. The spectators of Ten Li, far from helping the unfortunate merchant from Three Bridges, indulged in unseemly hilarity at his misfortune, which was serious enough to result in the drowning of one mule and the loss of a cart-load of pottery. The ill-feeling generated by this incident led to reprisals, until a state of warfare practically existed between the two villages. “Our suggestion to the inhabitants of Three Bridges that we should give a dramatic performance was met by them with scorn and laughter. They said they were already impoverished by stagnation of trade and the necessity of carrying on warfare with the barbarians in Ten Li. They were willing to let our company fight on their side, but could offer us no hope of remuneration. Our case indeed looked bad. We could not proceed further on account of the local disturbances, there was no money to be made by going back, and it seemed that we should all starve, when unexpectedly some Heaven-sent intellects thought of arbitration. The wise old men from each village met, they discussed the loss of trade, money, and life that these troubles were occasioning, and at last decided that one more big fight should take place, and that the winners should have the honour of entertaining the surviving losers at a big theatrical performance, the performance to last three days, the expenses of erecting the theatre and supplying the guests with food being borne by the victors. On hearing this noble counsel we were naturally greatly rejoiced, and now preparations for war on a large scale were put in hand. All being completed in a day, the next morning the two villages entered into a most sanguinary battle, which lasted eight hours. One man was killed on each side, but the umpires declared Three Bridges the winner, because their man killed himself with a jingal, whereas the Ten Li village man was really killed by being thrust into a mud-hole by the enemy. “After this, all was bustle and excitement. Land being valuable, our theatre was soon erected on piles in mid-stream, all our best dresses were taken out and aired, and a play to last three days was rehearsed day and night by us. For myself I played the part of a famous warrior. I wore gorgeous dresses of the Ming Dynasty, with soles to my boots four inches thick, whiskers eighteen inches long, that I could blow straight out in front of my face, and my face was painted vermilion to show my importance.