38 BOCK LADDER 



proceeded up the Me-tan Gorge, where vertical chffs. 

 descend sheer into the water, which is many fathoms 

 deep. It took two hours to reach the other end, where 

 tlie banks opened and one was able to land. Here I 

 got a few butterflies, but nothing worthy of mention. 

 After tiffin I returned to Sin-tan, and on landing and 

 walkini;- through the village to mv boat I twice had 

 sand thrown in my face, and was frequently insulted. 

 I attributed this exhibition of hostility by the natives 

 to their connecting me in some way with a rumour that 

 had reached them of the river being opened to steamer 

 traffic, which, if it ever did happen, would of course 

 seriously damage, if not ruin, their principal source of 

 livelihood. As, however, the Chinese Government have 

 reserved to themselves the right to have the first 

 steamer on this part of the river, it is not likely that it 

 will ever be open to steam navigation. On getting on 

 board there was a fair wind, and a start was made on 

 the return journey. A short distance down a tempting- 

 looking gorge was seen running down to the river, but 

 on landing I found only disappointment awaiting, for 

 I soon found my progress effectually barred by a water- 

 fall tumbling over unclimbable rocks. Close by is one 

 of the extraordinary paths, or rather ladders, made by a 

 series of steps cut into the almost perpendicular surface 

 of the rock, taking advantage of every favourable 



