ROBBERY AT TSI-HO-KIA 213 
crossed and the passage was dangerous, the current 
being very strong and with many whirlpools. The 
river was crossed twice more to-day, and in the even- 
ing a halt was made for the night at a village called 
Tsi-ho-kia. 
August 1—In the morning I, discovered that a 
robbery had taken place during the night, a case con- 
taining bird skins having been stolen. This placed me 
in an awkward position, as the landlord wanted me to 
remain till he could catch the thief, but I was anxious 
to report the matter at Hung-ya-hsien and started at 
8.30. When the landlord found that I was determined 
to go, he, with the object of being the first to report, 
started before me. I had not gone far when one of the 
Yamen runners came up with the box that had been 
stolen and which had been found in a field close to the | 
inn. It had been covered with hide at Ta-tsien-lu, and 
the thief no doubt thought that it contained musk. A 
small hole had been cut in the lid, and upon the con- 
tents being found to be only bird skins, it was thrown 
away. I was very glad to recover it, for it contained, 
among others, the skin of a Lophophorus Dhuysi, and 
none of them were damaged. After two hours journey 
the Ya was crossed and Hung-ya-hsien, on the left bank, 
entered. Here my passport was copied. I found the 
landlord locked up. When he heard that the stolen 
