Ch. v.] PEEPAEATIONS FOR EIVEE VOYAGE. 75 



and a stream of clear water runs along its edge, and alone 

 separates it from padi fields in the most green and healthy- 

 condition. 



At the present time no attempt is made to obtain sulphur 

 from this prolific source. Although it can be obtained at 

 the rate of 45 cents per picul of 133 lbs. (about 2s. per cwt.), 

 the Chinese Government stupidly and obstiaately forbid its, 

 being worked. Still, sulphur has been largely obtained from 

 these springs under the rose, or by means of a bribe, and it 

 yet remains for European enterprise to open up so important 

 and probably almost inexhaustible a source of this valuable 

 material. < 



On the 25th May, Captain Bullock having decided to take 

 the ship round to Ke-lung harbour, on the east coast, I made 

 arrangements to proceed overland and meet her there. The 

 journey across the country could, as I learned, be performed 

 almost entirely by boat, with no other difficulty than some 

 rapids in the higher part of the river. It was, moreover, 

 short, and was not unfrequently performed by two or three 

 gentlemen who carried on the occupation of merchants either 

 at Tam-suy or Ke-lung, and had often occasion to com- 

 municate personally with one or the other town. Having 

 therefore obtained the necessary information fi-om them, 

 Mr. Sutton, the chief engineer of the " Serpent," and my- 

 selfi proceeded at once to make our preparations for the 

 voyage. 



Having obtained a sampan, or native boat, with three men, 

 we placed in it provisions for two days, camera, collecting ap- 

 paratus, &c., intending to proceed leisurely. The boat was a 

 flat-bottomed one, adapted for the peculiar navigation, about 

 20 feet long and six feet wide, covered with a bamboo awn- 

 ing, and having a grass mat at the bottom ; and, with the 



