358 



OHAEMING SCENES 



Chap. XVII. 



and go on to the southwards; but did not tell 

 them to what point we were bound. By this 

 means the crowds were quite puzzled, and returned 

 to their homes inside the city. In passing under 

 one of the bridges here, and often both before and 

 after this when in the same position, the head 

 boatman warned us not to speak ; for, said he, " if 

 you do so, something evil will happen to us after- 

 wards." There is a superstition amongst them, 

 to the effect that those who speak while passing 

 under a bridge will be punished by being involved 

 in a quarrel. 



After passing out of the creek I found myself 

 on a broad and beautiful canal which leads to the 

 southwards in the direction of Hang-chow-foo. As 

 it was my intention to remain for some days in the 

 vicinity of Hoo-chow, we soon found a small creek 

 on the east side of this canal, which led up to the 

 bottom of a richly-wooded hill. Having sculled 

 the boat up there, we made her fast to the grassy 

 bank of the creek, and, while dinner was getting 

 ready, I went on shore. 



It was a lovely evening — the 18th of June — the 

 sun was just setting behind the high mountain- 

 ranges to the westward, and although the day had 

 been oppressively warm, the air was now compa- 

 ratively cool and enjoyable. I was in the midst of 

 most charming scenery, and although only about 

 two miles distant from a crowded and bustling 

 city, everything was perfectly quiet and still. 

 Overhead the rooks were seen returning home for 



