TEADE ON THE ROAD ,131 



the walls rebuilt or cleared out, as uiiglit be necessary ; 

 and it is curious to note that though they are probably 

 washed away or damaged every other year or so, they 

 are invariably reconstructed or repaired, the idea of 

 moving to higher and safer ground not apparently 

 entering into the owners' heads. The Tung River to- 

 day was a thick roaring torrent, full of huge boulders 

 and whirlpools. The general direction of the road wa,s' 

 now nearly due north. It was very rocky, winding 

 among the spurs of the mountains, and varying from 

 150 to 1,500 feet above the level of the river, which 

 made it hard work for ourselves and the cooHes. 

 There was a great deal of traffic, however, as I 

 noticed tobacco, salt, and tea being taken to Ta-tsien-lu 

 from the lower parts of Sze-chuen, and hides, musk, 

 deer-horns, and medicines going south, all carried by 

 coolies. 



Descending into a valley, a tributary of the Tung- 

 was crossed by means of a good stone bridge, with the 

 usual coolie rest-house at the end ; and ascending, we 

 passed round a high headland, where I noticed large 

 quantities of fossil shells. A few miles further on and 

 Wa-ssu is seen. Prickly pears grow here, this being 

 the first time I saw them. The fruit is used for food. 

 Very fine peaches, apricots, and apples are largely 

 grown, and sent to the market at Ta-tsien-lu. Wa-ssu 



K 2 



