Chap. XIII. 
THE "NINE WINDINGS." 
205 
way resting place for people on the road from Tsin-tsun 
to the hills ; and when we arrived several travellers and 
coolies were sitting in the porch drinking tea. The 
temple belonged to the Taouists, and was inhabited by 
an old priest and his wife. The priests of this sect do 
not shave their heads like the Buddhists, and I believe 
are allowed to marry. 
The old priest received us with great politeness, 
and, according to custom, gave me a piece of tobacco 
and set a cup of tea before me. Sing-Hoo now asked 
him whether he had a spare room in his house, and whe- 
ther he would allow us to remain with him for a day or 
two. He seemed to be very glad of the chance of 
making a little money, and immediately led us up-stairs 
to a room which, as we were not very particular, we 
agreed to hire during our stay. 
This house and temple, like some which I have 
already described, were built against a perpendicular 
rock, which formed an excellent and substantial back 
wall to the building. The top of the rock overhung the 
little building, and the water from it continually drip- 
ping on the roof of the house gave the impression that it 
was raining. 
The stream of " nine windings " flowed past the front 
of the temple. Numerous boats were plying up and 
down, many of which, I was told, contained parties of 
pleasure, who had come to see the strange scenery 
amongst these hills. The river was very rapid, and these 
boats seemed to fly when going with the current, and 
were soon lost to view. On all sides the strangest rocks 
and hills were observed, having generally a temple and 
