CHAPTER III 



SPORT ROUND T'AI-Yt)AN FU 



IN the summer of 1911 we returned to China, 

 with the idea of carrying out extensive 

 explorations in MongoHa and Manchuria. 



We reached T'ai-yiian Fu in July, when, the 

 rainy season being at its height, it was impossible 

 to start our contemplated journey for some time. 



I tried one short trip into the mountains of the 

 Ning-wu district, but it ended in disaster, my head 

 servant being accidentally shot by one of his 

 companions. 



Subsequently disquieting rumours anent the 

 impending outbreak began to circulate, so that 

 I decided to wait a while to see how things were 

 going, before starting on a long journey north- 

 wards. 



In view of the general unrest in the country, 

 we had decided that my wife should not accom- 

 pany me on this journey, but I soon found a 

 pleasant and able companion and assistant in 

 Mr. F. W. Warrington, son of Professor A. W. 

 Warrington of the Shansi University. 



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