54 
CHAPTER V 
SHA-SHIH AND PA-CHOW 
Excursion to Sha-shih—Large town with considerable trade—Ravages of 
cholera—Ho-sia—Try to find lakes, but fail—Trouble at a village— 
False information—Further insults—Treachery of coolies—Arrival 
at boat—Sturgeon—Stopped by head wind—Washing for gold— 
Tiger’s Tooth Gorge—Loss of silver-laden junk—Return to Shanghai 
with Mrs. Pratt—Purchase cases for collections and duck-guns—Wild- 
fowl on Yang-tze—Return to Ichang—Floods—Decrease in size of 
river above Tung-ting Lakes—Arrive at Ichang—Contract for boat 
to be built—Delay in building—Trip to Pa-chow—Cranes and storks 
at Hope Island—Geese at Pa-chow—Etu—Return to Ichang— 
Departure of Mrs. Pratt and children for England—Description of 
boat and arrangements on board. 
My collections from Chang-yang were now finally looked 
over, packed up, and despatched home. When this 
was finished several excursions were made down the 
river, and such as might interest the reader will be 
described. 
On November 17, the Consul having kindly offered 
me the use of his house-boat, I went down to Sha-shih, 
which is eighty miles from Ichang, and being with the 
current, the journey was made in one day. I stayed at 
this place for a few hours, and found two English 
missionaries, Mr. and Mrs. Gulston; the former kindly 
