FROM TONKIN TO INDIA 



measure thus obtained is 2 lbs., Chinese, eight tsiens. A pound 

 is worth thirty sapecks. The salt is sent to Teng-Vueh and 

 Yung-Tchang, but does not go to Tali. Work is only carried 

 on for seven days in a month, and about 3,000 lbs. ot salt are 

 despatched in that time. The workings are common ; anyone 

 can share in them by paying to the mandarin a rent, which 

 varies according to the number of labourers. 



As we left Tien-eul-tsin we noticed pagodas on the hillside 

 above some rocks, on which were engraved inscriptions. In the 

 middle of them appeared a figure of the goddess Khou-an-yn, 

 in the pose of a madonna with flowing drapery : the head was 

 in profile, with a hood encircled by an aureole. Similar designs 

 exist in Japan. Farther on we passed another salt-mine village, 

 from which arose columns of smoke, before coming to Yiin-long- 

 cheou, a town only by virtue of its administration. The mandarin, 

 who entertained us, had a garrison of but thirteen men. Here 

 we were on the bank of the river Pi-kiang, which flows from the 

 mountains of Likiang into the Mekong at two days' distance. 



The directions furnished us as to the route to follow were 

 vague. They were to the effect that we ought to reach the 

 Lan-Tsang-kiang (Mekong) in two days, and should be able to 

 cross it by a bridge. But on the other side we should find 

 ourselves in the territory of the "barbarians," according to Joseph, 

 and with paths impracticable for mules. The approaches to the 

 Sal wen were regarded with dread. A local proverb says, "He 

 who would cross the Loutze-kiang should sell his wife before 

 he starts." Our men did not seem to make any actual demur 

 to going forward ; they doubted our persisting to any distance, 

 but, on our attempting to procure an extra mafou for three 

 more mules we had bought, we found it impossible to induce 



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