196 WANDERINGS IN CHINA. Chap. XII. 
Threading our way onward through the chasm, with 
the rocks standing high on each side and dripping with 
water, we soon got into the open country again. After 
having examined the rocks and soil, my object was to 
get a good view of the surrounding country, and I 
therefore made my way to the heights above the 
temples. When I reached the summit the view I 
obtained was well worth all my toil. Around and below 
me on every side were the rugged rocks of Woo-e-shan, 
while numerous fertile spots in glens and on hill-sides 
were seen dotted over with the tea-shrub. Being on one 
of the highest points I had a good view of the rich val- 
leys in which the towns of Tsong-gan-hien and Tsin-tsun 
stand. Far away to the northward the chain of the 
Bohea mountains were seen stretching from east to west 
as far as the eye could reach, and apparently forming an 
impenetrable barrier between Fokien and the rich and 
populous province of Kiang-see. 
The sun was now setting behind the Bohea hills, 
and, as twilight is short in these regions, the last rays 
warned me that it would be prudent to get back to the 
vicinity of the temples near which I had taken up my 
quarters. On my way back I came upon a tomb in 
which nine priests had been interred. It was on the 
hill-side, and seemed a fit resting-place for the remains 
of such men. It had evidently been a kind of natural 
cavern under the rock, with an opening in front. The 
bodies were placed in it, the arched rock was above 
them, and the front was built up with the same mate- 
rial. Thus entombed amongst their favourite hills, these 
bodies will remain until "the rock shall be rent," at that 
