Chap. XIII. 
A LONELY ROAD, 
213 
lost to the eye amidst the rich and tropical-looking 
foliage of the pines. Uniting at the bottom of the 
mountains, they form a river and flow onward to swell 
the waters of the Min. 
When we had got some distance from the base of the 
momitain the road became so steep that I was obliged 
to get out of my chair and walk. Once or twice, when 
I found myself a considerable way in advance of my 
men, the road seemed so wild and lonely that I felt 
almost afraid. It seemed a fit place for tigers and other 
ferocious animals to spring upon one out of the dense 
brushwood. We reached the top of the pass in about an 
hour from the time we commenced the ascent. As the 
day was close and hot, I was glad to find there a small 
inn, where I procured some tea, which was most accept- 
able and refreshing. 
Resting awhile on the top of the mountain I en- 
joyed one of those glorious prospects which well reward 
the traveller for all his toil, and then pursued my 
journey. 
The most beautiful bird seen during our progress was 
the red-billed pie. This bird is scarcely so large as the 
English species, is of a beautiful light-blue colour, and 
has several long feathers in the tail tipped with white. 
It is generally met with in flocks of ten or a dozen, and 
as they fly across the ravines with their tails spread out 
they look very beautiful. Several species of jay were 
also observed, apparently new. Pheasants, partridges, 
and woodcocks were plentiful and very tame. They did 
not seem to be molested by the Chinese sportsman. 
Many other small birds, which I had never seen in other 
