80 QUEI-CHOW-FU 



ever conveyed there. On the left bank a road has been 

 blasted on the face of the precipice for about four miles, 

 and is still in progress. Coolies maybe seen suspended 

 on the perpendicular face on plank scaffolds, drilling 

 holes for the explosives. This is dangerous work, and 

 I heard that many lives are lost. 



The water is generally very deep and smooth, the 

 current being strong. There are several rapids, but 

 none of a dangerous character. At the head of the 

 gorge the river takes a bend to the southward, and the 

 banks break out very suddenly. There is a large sand- 

 bank here that is uncovered when the river is low, 

 and on which brine springs are found. This brine is 

 evaporated in iron vessels, and a considerable quantity 

 of salt is produced. Just above is Quei-chow-fii, 

 which was reached at 6 p.m., and is 665 li from 

 Ichang. It is a Le-kin station ; and as now I had 

 left the province of Hu-peh and was in Sze-chuen, the 

 Custom House officials came on board and made a 

 copy of my passport as the boat passed the town. I 

 landed a few men to get provisions for the crew, and 

 gave them orders to rejoin the boat further up the 

 river. I had no intention of stopping off the 

 place, as the men might get on shore, and then it 

 is very uncertain when they would come off. The 

 boat was made fast for the night just above the town. 



