to dip out water rapidly. Even tlien the issue was doubtful for a while, 

 so I had coolies carry the Chinese women off the boat to shore on their 

 backs. Then the bedding and baggage were carried off. We got onto 

 another boat and went to the nest wharf. Host of this was after dark, 

 and we got to bed about twelve o'clock. We were lucky to get off safely 

 and with dry skins and baggage. 



Jan. 4. This morning I killed two sand swallows. This afternoon with three 



Chinese I went overland to some pools and small creeks where I hoped some 

 specimens might be secured. We secured lots of shrimps, three frogs, three 

 snipes, and a small fishing bird. 



The boat I am now on was nearly sunk today in my absence. Chinese 

 friends on the boat laid to and bailed out water until the leak was under 

 control. The leak is now fairly well repaired. The boat ran into a hidden 

 rock. 



Jan. 5. Bad luck followed us again today. The mast was pulled down by the pulling 

 rope of another larger boat. It took at least .an hour to fix it. Then the 

 boat turned tail twice on a bad rapid and was in danger of smashing on the 

 rocks. It was apparent that the boat was being poorly managed. We are told 

 that the captain is not familiar with the river here . He has gone asiiore to 

 worship the boatman's god, V/ang E Prisah so as to get his help tomorrow. 



Jan. 6. The boatmen lost over an hour because they tried to cross the river where 

 it was impossible to cross. Tonight we are 20 li. from Mating, where we 

 should arrive about noon tomorrow. 



Jan. ?. Arrived at Mating at twelve o'clock. The foreign conference was in 



session in the afternoon, and I attended. In the evening a Chinese candidate 

 for ordination was examined. I killed a gull just as we arrived at Mating. 

 There are no gulls at Suifu. 



Jan. 8. Chen G-ih Uen set his traps but secured no mammals. I hope to secure some 

 fish tomorrow. 



Jan. 9, 10. Very busy days in conference with little chance to collect excepting 

 through the collectors, who have secured some fish and many insects. I have 

 bought a vase from an old Chinese grave, and have secured some broken Han 

 Dynasty pottery. 



Jan. 11. k full day in conference. Today I had one collector in the old burial 

 tombs. He brought back a load of broken pottery, some of which is of in- 

 terest, but he secured none of the finest srjecimens I am hoping for. Most 

 of them have been carried away, but there is hope that there are better 

 specimens in some of the caves that have been closed by accident. If I go 



