56 THE LIU-KIU ISLANDS. [chap. 



opposite bank it was hard to trace the limits of the water, so 

 merged was the reflection in the reality. Here a hill rose steeply, 

 a mass of dense vegetation, in which gnarled trunks, masses of 

 creeper, and feathery fronds of the tree-fern mingled in graceful 

 confusion. A gap in the foliage revealed the battlements of the 

 citadel above, weather-worn and gray with age, and over the 

 grotesquely-shaped stone bridge, whose open balustrading was 

 richly carved, a crowd of people poured from the busy street 

 beyond to gaze their fill at the unaccustomed sight we afforded 

 them. 



After resting a while we were conducted to the fortress, whither 

 none of the crowd who had hitherto surrounded us were per- 

 mitted to follow. Our path skirted the lake, and crossing 

 another picturesquely-carved stone bridge, passed upward through 

 a shady grove of fine old trees to the fortress gate. On our way 

 we came upon yet another lotus-pond, its surface almost hidden 

 by the luxuriance of the plants. Its centre was occupied by a tiny 

 temple or shrine, accessible by a lilliputian causeway, but from the 

 rankness of the grass around the latter it did not appear to be 

 much visited. The gate of the fortress was guarded by two fierce- 

 looking stone lions and a diminutive Japanese of a most unwarlike 

 aspect. On entering, w^e were able to realise to some extent the 

 vast area that is included within the fortifications. It is extremely 

 irregular in shape, and it is evident that no settled plan has been 

 followed in the construction of the defences, which have been 

 merely adapted to the character of the ground. Eoughly speaking, 

 however, there appear to be three distinct lines of fortifications, 

 with ample space between them for the manoeuvring of any 

 number of troops. Besides these, there is a perfect labyrinth of 

 smaller walls, among which it would have been no difficult matter 

 to lose oneself; while the citadel within the inner line rises here 

 and there into picturesque towers and battlements delightful to an 

 artist's eye. The masonry is almost Cyclopean in character, and 

 the blocks of stone are joined with wonderful accuracy. In this and 



