Chap. V. 
TUN-CHE. 
81 
afternoon of the 20th of November bade adieu to 
Wang's family, and to the country of the far-famed 
Sung-lo-shan. The day was wet and stormy, and I had 
a most disagreeable ride to Tun-che. Towards evening 
the gale increased, and the rain fell in torrents. I had 
procured some oil-paper to protect my feet and knees 
from the rain, which was blown in upon me in front, 
and my men who accompanied me also covered them- 
selves with the same material, but it was of very little 
use to us, and long before we reached our destination 
we were drenched to the skin. To make matters worse, 
it became quite dark before we reached Tun-che, and it 
was with great difficulty that my chairbearers could 
keep on the narrow road, and prevent themselves from 
slipping and faUing down. Our road led along the high 
bank of the river, and was rather dangerous to travel on 
in such a night. Once the foremost man came down, 
and I was all but blown over the bank into the river ; 
indeed, had the second man not held on firmly by the 
chair, I believe I must have fallen over the precipice, 
chair and all. 
The lights of the town at last came in sight, and, as 
we entered its narrow streets, I ordered the chairmen to 
set me down and wait until my servants came up. The 
bearers accordingly stopped in front of a tea-house, 
into which they entered and called for some refresh- 
ment. While they were inside the house I was looking 
after my men, as it was just possible that they might 
pass us in the dark. In a few minutes Wang came up 
to me in a state of great excitement, and almost pulled 
me out of the chair. " Come away — be quick ! said 
E 3 
