214. The Revolutionist Occupation of La-chi-mi 
had been stripped from the outside and it was bound at 
frequent intervals, no doubt to prevent the wood warping 
and cracking. The plunger consisted of a thin bamboo 
about six feet in length, near the end of which was fastened 
a circular leather apron, slightly larger in diameter than the 
tube. To the circumference of the apron were attached 
light guy-ropes, these being drawn down and secured at 
one point to the handle, just like the ribs of a half-open 
umbrella; and save for the fact that these stays were not 
rigid, that is exactly what the plunger most resembled. 
Evaporation of the brine is carried on by a number of 
families living in miserable huts clustered near the mine at 
the lower end of the village. Four or five iron pans, each 
capable of holding a block of salt weighing not less than 
seventy-five pounds, are let into a mud range, the fires are 
lighted underneath and the process goes merrily ahead ; 
but at this time no evaporation was in progress and con- 
sequently everything—walls, floor, range, pans, and conduits 
—was encrusted with salt. In La-chi-mi salt is sold at the 
rate of three taels of silver per hundred £zx, equivalent to 
a shilling for eighteen pounds—certainly not a high price. 
The mine supplies Chen-chuan, Tali-fu, Yung-chang-fu, 
T‘eng-yueh, and even distant Bhamo. 
While strolling outside the village in the evening I met 
a patrol, who with lanterns swinging merrily, were almost 
running along the paved road which goes eastwards over 
the mountains. 
On the following morning no men were forthcoming 
and I occupied myself with watching developments. There 
was little excitement in the sleepy village, for though many 
people were in the narrow street, all the shops were open. 
Presently the cry arose, ‘They are come!” and all who 
were not already in the street surged to the 'shop-fronts— 
it was the only indication of excitement while I was there. 
Coming down the paved street from the direction of Tali-fu, 
seven days’ journey to the south-east, was a well-dressed 
man on horseback, preceded by some half-dozen foot-soldiers 
escorting as many pack-mules. This was Captain Li. 
Evidently the party, who had come straight up the Mekong 
valley from Yung-chang, were in constant communication 
with a second party who had proceeded northwards by 
