EXPLORATION OF LEW CHEW. 



169 



studded with tombs, some of them built against the rock and whitewashed, like the tombs of 

 the present inhabitants, but others excavated within it, and evidently of great age. Looking 





Tombs in Lew Chew. 



down upon the bay it was easy to see that the greater part of it was shallow, and in some places 

 the little fishing junks could not approach within half a mile of the shore. The rice-fields were 

 brought square down to the water's edge, which was banked up to prevent the tide from over- 

 flowing them, and I noticed many triangular stone dykes, stretching some distance into the 

 water, and no doubt intended as weirs for fish. 



In less than an hour after leaving Banner Rock we were surprised by the discovery of an 

 ancient fortress, occupying a commanding position upon the summit of one of the spurs of the 

 central ridge. Its outline was irregular, but with a general direction from northeast to south- 

 west; and while some parts of it were in perfect preservation, other portions were overgrown 

 with vines and shrubbery, and hardly to be distinguished from the natural rock upon which it 

 was based. Passing through an arched gateway, the road led to a terrace, overgrown with trees, 

 upon which stood a structure of masonry resembling a cenotaph. A flight of stone steps con- 

 ducted us to another gateway, after passing which, and a spacious vestibule, we entered the 

 interior of the fortress. The space was occupied by a luxuriant grove of trees, and at the further 

 end was a private dwelling of respectable appearance. Our Pe-ching was already there, and 

 the master (whom our Chinese coolies designated the "Japanese Consul") respectfully invited 

 us to enter. The day was oppressively hot, and we found two or three cups of Lew Chew tea an 

 agreeable refreshment. Returning to the terrace, at the base of the outer wall, we halted in the 

 22 J 



