Ch. v.] KB-LUNG, and its inhabitants. 83 



we proceeded on foot through a pass on the hills, meeting 

 on the way numerous coolies transporting goods of various 

 kinds from Ke-lung. Some carried heavy bundles of dressed 

 hemp ; others, barrels of dried flying-fish of a large size. A 

 sudden turn of the road brought us in view of a splendid 

 panorama — the valley, town, and spacious harbour of Ke- 

 lung, forming altogether a fine picture. On the densely 

 wooded knolls in the valley, tree-ferns were conspicuous ; 

 the sandstone hills on the left dipped in long stratified lines 

 to the south-west ; and outside the harbour, in which three 

 square-rigged ships, as well as numerous junks, were lying 

 at anchor, stood like a sentinel an abrupt rock, 600 feet 

 high, known as Ke-lung Island, and bearing some resem- 

 blance to St. Michael's Mount. On the right was the in- 

 teresting coal-region, which renders Ke-lung so important a 

 port, in which good anchorage and plenty of fuel may be 

 always readily obtained. 



Descending into this valley we passed through the town 

 of Ke-lung, paying our sole visit to it on this occasion. 

 It seemed larger and more open than those we had pre- 

 viously seen, but was inhabited by the same class, who 

 indeed gave us an unfavourable impression, by detaining us 

 at the landing-place until we satisfied their exorbitant de- 

 mands, urged with an unpleasant degree of noise and tiunult. 

 We afterwards learned that they had on more than one 

 occasion threatened the life of one or two Europeans who 

 were resident here, and who by maintaining an independent 

 demeanour, and refusing to succumb to their prejudices, 

 had rendered themselves obnoxious. Like the Chinese 

 generally, however, they re'quire to be dealt with firmly; 

 and the only way to estabHsh oneself in security among 

 them is to show them a bold and determined front — taking 



G 2 



