74 LIFE -BOATS 



taking care that I was far enouoli from the town to 

 prevent any of the crew or trackers returning there that 

 night. 



The next morning a start was made at 4.45 a.m., 

 and the trackers had to work for several hours. At 

 last a fair breeze sprung up, and we were able to proceed 

 under sail until arriving at a small village ninety li from 

 Ichang, where the boat was made fast for the night. 

 This place was reached at 5.30 p.m., and I had been 

 busy all day rearranging the various things in the cabin 

 and seeing that those articles which might be wanted 

 in a hurry were stowed in accessible places. On March 

 28 we were under way at 4.54 a.m. with a fair wind, 

 which, however, soon died away, and the trackers had 

 to be landed to tow as2jainst the stream. We were now 

 approaching the Ta-tung Eapid, where the rocks and 

 boulders are extremely dangerous. Here was one of the 

 life-boats whose duty it is to pick up all bodies floating 

 in the river, and to save life if possible. They get paid, 

 I believe, so much for each one brought on shore, whether 

 living or dead. They are usually manned by five men, 

 and are easily known as they are alwaj^s painted red. 

 The Government supplies them and their crew, and they 

 are stationed in the dangerous parts of the river. The 

 current was found to be very strong, and this, combined 

 with a head wind, compelled us to anchor for some 



