The first engagement in which strong opposition was encountered was in the vicinity of Yunlin (Unrin), which was reached on the morning of the 7th by the left column.

Kirk, who succeeded Drumright, had an unusually short tour of duty in Taipei—only about a year. Despite the shortness of his duty, he left the impression of being an old sea captain who would have felt more at home barking his orders from the bridge than heading an important diplomatic mission. There was nothing civil or gentle about him, and even in talking to President Chiang, he sounded gruff and blunt. I could see that the President really didn't enjoy the envoy's company, but he remained unperturbed and discussed in a calm and friendly manner whatever had prompted the Ambassador to seek the audience. Once I heard him remark half to himself: How could anyone be so discourteous?

The big guy came running at me with his hands open to grab me, which might have meant he was a wrestler. But more likely it just meant he was a head-butter who wanted to yank me toward him, and then smash my face in with his forehead.

The usherian rule had, however, always been comparatively light at Burnsley Vicarage, for the good Dallas, never for a moment entrusting the duties of tuition to a third person, engaged these deputies merely as a sort of police […]