COLOSSAL IMAGE 105 
river may perhaps rise many feet in a night, the only 
indications being a slight discolouration a few hours 
before. They are occasioned by the melting of the 
snow in the mountains. 
Mr. Kricheldorff and I now had our heads shaved, 
and got into Chinese clothes, including an artificial tail 
which was secured inside the cap. These we found to 
be very cool and comfortable, but the chief advantage 
we gained was, that when so dressed, little or no atten- 
tion was paid to us by the mob. 
I was unable to visit the town at all on this occasion 
for the reason stated before, and am therefore unable to 
say anything about it. On the opposite side of the 
river there is a colossal image cut out of the red sand- 
stone, It is seated, with the hands on the knees, and 
must be at least 150 feet high. The head is overgrown 
with creepers, and small trees have taken root and are 
growing. These will, in course of time, utterly destroy 
the work, but as yet the outline can be distinctly 
traced. 
Two days before I intended to leave, the Tao-tai 
came down with his staff of about fifteen attendants, 
all most richly dressed, himself in particular wearing a 
navy blue satin tunic, covered with the most beautiful 
embroidery in different coloured silks. There was not 
room for all, but he came on board and informed me 
