DISOIWEELY CONDUCT 49 



of the honeysuckle. Azaleas grow to a heii^lit of from 

 twelve to fourteen feet, and are covered with pink 

 blossoms. There is also a very fine clematis running 

 over the rocks. Higher up in the forest, rhododen- 

 drons are found growing luxuriantly and in many fine 

 varieties, some specimens being twenty feet high and 

 bearing large white fragrant blossoms. Towards the 

 north the country is much broken ; range after range 

 could be seen on a clear day from my mud house. Look- 

 ing to the west, the .spurs are covered with dense forest, 

 and I remember on one particular moonlight night the 

 black forest standing out against the horizon, the 

 loneliness, isolation and wildness of the scene were 

 most impressive. 



After residing for two months here, reports were 

 constantly reaching me that the natives had convinced 

 themselves that my stay would bring them bad luck. 

 One day I found a disorderly crowd at my house, and 

 heard that a big meeting was to be held the following 

 day to consider what steps should be taken to remove 

 me. Two days later I found notices pasted on the 

 trees all round, to the effect that any native who was 

 found to be collecting for me, or assisting me in any 

 way, would be bambooed, and stating that I was 

 bringing bad luck to the district. At the same time I 

 was threatened that, if I did not remove immediately, 



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