ClIAP. V. 
MOUNTAIN SCENERY. 
83 
ing morning the boat was pushed out into the stream, 
and we proceeded rapidly down the river. 
The storm of the previous night had entirely passed 
away, and never had I seen a more beautiful morning. 
The sun shone gaily, the atmosphere was clear and 
bracing, and everything wore a cheerful and smiling 
aspect. With Uttle exertion on the part of our crew, we 
floated rapidly down the stream, passing in quick suc- 
cession the woods, towns, and villages which lined its 
banks. Sometimes, as we looked onwards, our course 
seemed to be stopped by mountain -barriers, but as we 
approached them a way opened out, and we glided 
rapidly through, between mountains which frequently 
rose to a height of at least three thousand feet. 
The moon was just past the full, and the scenery by 
moonhght was striking and grand. Sometimes the 
moon rose in all her grandeur above the tops of the 
mountains, and threw a flood of mellowed light upon 
the clear and shining river, which made it appear 
to sparkle as if covered with a thousand bright gems. 
Again, as we approached the eastern shore, the moon 
appeared to sink behind the mountains, and set where 
she rose, and we were left in the shade ; and so, as we 
floated onwards, she rose and set many times, until 
she was so high in the sky that the mountains could no 
longer intercept her rays. 
The river being rapid, and in many parts studded 
with, rocks and large stones most dangerous to naviga- 
tion, we were often obliged, when evening came, to drive 
a bamboo pole into the bank, and fasten our boat up for 
the night. On one occasion a sudden change of wea- 
