200 
WANDERINGS IN CHINA. 
Chap. XII. 
cured in such ways is exceedingly small. The greatest 
quantity is grown on level spots on the hill-sides, which 
have become enriched, to a certain extent, by the vege- 
table matter and other deposits which have been washed 
down by the rains from a higher elevation. Very little 
tea appeared to be cultivated on the more barren spots 
amongst the hills, and such ground is very plentiful on 
Woo-e-shan. 
Having been all day toiling amongst the hills, I re- 
tired to" rest at an early hour. Sing-Hoo told me after- 
wards that he never closed his eyes during the night. It 
seems he did not like the appearance of the ill-looking 
priest ; and having a strong prejudice against the Fokien 
men, he imagined an attempt might be made to rob or 
perhaps murder us during the night. No such fears dis- 
turbed my rest. I slept soundly until morning dawned, 
and when I awoke felt quite refreshed, and equal to the 
fatigues of another day. Calling for some water to be 
brought me, I indulged in a good wash, a luxury which 
I could only enjoy once in twenty-four hours. 
During my stay here I met a number of tea-mer- 
chants from Tsong-gan-hien, who had come up to buy 
tea from the priest. These men took up their quarters 
in the temples, or rather in the priests' houses adjoin- 
ing, until they had completed their purchases. Coolies 
were then sent for, and the tea was conveyed to Tsong- 
gan-hien, there to be prepared and packed for the foreign 
markets. 
On the morning of the third day, having seen all that 
was most interesting in this part of the hills, I deter- 
mined to change my quarters. As soon as breakfast was 
