222 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



to raise and repair the walls, and they were, compara- 

 tively speaking, in excellent order. Kew-keang had 

 only been recaptured by the Imperialists during the 

 last six months, having been stormed by the Taepings 

 as far back as the year 1853. It was then a place 

 remarkable for its wealth and population ; and the 

 entire area within the walls was covered, people 

 assured us, with houses. Our pilot declared that, prior 

 to the rebel occupation, the fleets of junks, and the 

 traffic at this point, would have astonished us; and 

 that, if anything was wanted, be it what it may, Kew- 

 keang could always produce it. " But now," said he, 

 pointing at 700 Ib. of rice which we with difficulty 

 procured for our crew, "see, you can hardly get 

 enough to eat." 



A reference to any good map will show at once the 

 importance of Kew-keang as an emporium. It stands 

 at the portal leading from the north to the south. 

 Past it must float every product of the north-west 

 either going to Shanghai or Canton ; and every bale 

 of merchandise from the latter troublesome city going 

 towards Hankow or Pekin comes across the Poyang 

 Lake, and by the threshold of Kew-keang. 



