July 15- We reached Kiating, found a steamer leaving tomorrow a.m., bought our 



tickets and got onto the steamer, le saved money by not taking a room 

 but spreading our cots on the to^ deck. We have to stay with our 

 baggage in order to guard it and hold our places. 



July 17- We started about 8 a.m. We delayed an hour on the way trying to pull 

 another steamer loose. It had run upon a shallow place and could not 



3u.l4^U. pull loose. We reached Suipn at two o^clock. I am spending the night 



at the home of Chester Wood, This afternoon I interviewed the 

 official and secured his passport. 



July 18- Travelled to Zoh K*10 or Yueh K*eo, going most of the way by boat. It 

 was a very hot day with much thunder in the afternoon. 



July 19- We started at daylight and went on to Shua Lair Ch'iao where we spent 

 the night. Last night there was a thunder storrri. with a heavy downpour 

 of rain, which changed the sluggish streams into roaring torrents. 



We are hearing terrible stories about the raids of the reds, and the 

 reds are not far from the Yunnar border. This may affect our journey 

 and places. t) 



July 20- fe reached Kongshien early this afternoon. It rained nearly all 



morning and it was muddy and slippery. After reaching Kongshien I 

 went and visited the magistrate, asking him about going on to 

 Lo Biao. We learnt that a force of communists is six miles from. 

 Lo Biao and that a fierce battle, as yet undecisive, has been going 

 on several days. The situation is so dangerous that the official 

 will not let us go to Lo Biao. 



July 21- 7/e sent a m.essenger to the Miao country. He should arrive there 

 tonight and return with one or two of ths Miao tomorrow night. 

 Meanwhile there are rumors that the Reds are strongly reenforced 

 near Lo Biao so we may have to turn back. 



July 22- The Miao friends arrived saying the Reds have retreated and urging 

 us to go on to Lo Biao. They said that when they heard I probably 

 could not come in on account of the Communists some of them could 

 hardly avoid weeping. I have many deep friends among the Miao, 

 This afternoon we took a trip up on top o-'^ a neighboring mountain. 



July 23- The officials have finally restated their opinion that because of 

 the Reds it is too dangerous to go to Lo Bieo, so we are going to 

 Tsang Lin east of here, 



July 24- Reached Tsang Lin about noon. We were held up at the city gate for 

 a half an hour by some inexperienced soldiers. Later we met the 

 magistrate who is a graduate of Peking University and very friendly. 

 Ee is an unusually good official. 



