HIGHLY CULTIVATED DISTRICT 81 
This is a place of considerable importance, trading in 
salt and coal. Large junks come down from the upper 
parts of the river, but do not, as a rule, proceed lower 
down than this. Here I was obliged to take two sol- 
diers on board asa guard. They go by the name of 
‘runners’ among the Europeans, and are of little or no 
use when travelling by boat. On the road they are of 
great assistance in procuring lodgings. In the after- 
noon, before reaching the town, my dog Toby, a 
spaniel, jumped overboard, but could not land, and 
was carried two miles down the stream before he was 
picked up by a coolie whom I had sent down in a sam- 
pan to his assistance. This caused some delay. 
April 5.—Started as usual at 4.30 a.m., and there 
being no wind the trackers had to go on shore. The 
current was very strong, and only fourteen li were 
got over during the day. The country passed through 
was open and highly cultivated, cereals, tobacco, and 
vegetables being largely grown. 
April 6.—A welcome fair wind on starting, and at 
9.30 came to a small rapid, which was safely got 
through. The wind helped us all day, and in the 
evening we got through a very bad rapid and then 
made fast for the night, having done 138 li—a very 
good run. Here I heard from the natives that there 
was a very bad place ahead. There is so little water 
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