38 HWA-SHAN, THE FLOWER MOUNTAIN 



to far-off r^anchow-fii, made a narrow streak, 

 thougli its ranks in a country where fuel is so 

 precious are sadly thinned ; west and east the 

 mighty Hwang-lio and its great tributaries wound 

 their dragon-like curv^es ; the firs rose dark against 

 the salmon and gold of the evening sky ; away to 

 the west lay a blue shapeless blur ; and though the 

 depths would see me on the morrow. 1 was happy, 

 for 1 knew that presently I should come again to 

 the hills. 



