FROM TONKIN TO INDIA 



able, for the boatmen could not touch bottom, the current 

 running two knots an hour ; but both above and below there 

 were rapids of far greater strength. Its breadth at the time of 

 our crossing (i8th April) varied from 119 yards to 162 yards. 

 In the rains there is a rise of upwards of 39 feet, and its width 

 then must be over 200 yards. The water was cold, 66°'2 Fahr., 



Liiibarkalion of Mules at Notcha Tian-pi. 



whilst the shade temperature of the air stood at 95°. I had 



remarked this chill before, when comparing its waters at Pakai 



with those of the Nam Ou. 



At Notcha Tian-pi there was a little Chinese post for the 



customs on tea coming from the right bank, Mong-hai, Mong-se, 



and Mong-yang ; duty, one to two "tens" the hundred Chinese 



96 



