152 TEA DISTRICTS OF CHINA. Chap. VIII. 



his gun and dogs, taken to the life by the pencil of 

 Mr. Scarth, a gentleman to whom I am indebted for 

 several of the sketches in this work. 



All the others seemed to look up to Mo-ze, for 

 that was his name, and were guided entirely by him. 

 Their guns, were all of the same description : they 

 were long matchlocks, very slender in their . make, 

 and apparently not very safe when English powder 

 was used instead of Chinese. All who had guns now 

 came and begged from me a supply of powder and 

 shot, which they seemed to think much superior to 

 their own. They then lighted the cord-matches which 

 each carried on his arm, called the beaters and dogs 

 together, and started in pursuit of deer. 



It was a lovely spring morning, and spring is really 

 lovely amongst these northern hills. The dew was on 

 the grass, the little birds were chanting their morning 

 song of praise, and the Chinese labourer was already 

 at work in the fields. Many grass-cutters were work- 

 ing in the woods or on the borders of the dense un- 

 cultivated jungle, and to these our companions applied 

 for information regarding the haunts of the wild deer. 

 They succeeded at last in obtaining some specific in- 

 formation, and determined on beating an adjoining 

 hill covered with coppice and jungle. 



Those who had guns were now stationed at diiferent 

 places on the edge of the wood, and the beaters and 

 dogs were sent into the jungle. I had never seen 

 Chinese dogs hunting before, and was highly amused 

 with their performance. They seem to have little or 

 no scent, but they have a quick eye and a swift foot, 



