116 A WALK IN KIUSIU. 



of heat.^ An adder lay coiled in the path, and positively 

 refused to move, but instead bit viciously at the end of 

 my stick. My dog was very anxious to fly at it, but I 

 preferred knocking the wicked-looking reptile on the 

 head. I only know two species of venomous snakes in 

 Japan, though the natives say there are others. 



Passing over a sharp rise I found myself in a large 

 valley which ran up amongst the hills at right angles 

 to the general direction I had been coming, and as it 

 was now very warm I decided to give up the " Maiden," 

 and stick to the lower country. A broader path led 

 up the left side of this big valley. Great fir-trees here 

 and there towered high over everything. When these 

 isolated trees are found growing along or by the road- 

 side, it generally indicates some main highway. A few 

 white storks were feeding in the rice-fields, and grand 

 birds they looked. Although they evidently breed in 

 the country — in fact were then probably breeding — I 

 never succeeded in finding where they nested. Coming 

 to a tea-house about noon I decided to rest half-an- 

 hour. No sooner had I sat down under the grateful 

 shade of the overhanging roof than a pleasant smiling 

 girl appeared, and begged to be allowed to take off my 

 boots while I had some tea. 



^ See remarks on candle-making, chap. ii. 



