Chap. XIV. 



A LONELY ROAD. 



249 



It must be of great value as a timber-tree in this part 

 of China. 



An excellent paved road led us up through a deep 

 ravine. Frequently the branches of the trees met 

 above our heads and darkened the way. Everything 

 had a wild appearance. Streams were gushing from 

 the mountain sides and fell over rocky precipices, 

 when they were lost to the eye amidst the rich and 

 tropical-looking foliage of the pines. Uniting at the 

 bottom of the mountains, they form a river and flow 

 onward to swell the waters of the Min. 



When we had got some distance from the base of 

 the mountain the road became so steep that I was 

 obliged to get out of my chair and walk. Once or 

 twice, when I found myself a considerable way in 

 advance of my men, the road seemed so wild and 

 lonely that I felt almost afraid. It seemed a fit place 

 for tigers and other ferocious animals to spring upon 

 one out of the dense brushwood. We reached the 

 top of the pass in about an hour from the time we 

 commenced the ascent. As the day was close and 

 hot, I was glad to find there a small inn, where I pro- 

 cured some tea, which was most acceptable and 

 refreshing. 



Resting awhile on the top of the mountain I en- 

 joyed one of those glorious prospects which well 

 reward the traveller for all his toil, and then pursued 

 my journey. I have already said that immense 

 forests of the lance-leaved pine covered the sides of 

 these mountains. Besides these the Pinus sinensis, 

 camphor and tallow trees, were most abundant — the 



