Page:A wandering student in the Far East vol.1 - Zetland.djvu/320

248 Yang-pi on the west. The range is well wooded, and from the summit a magnificent view is obtained of the Yang-pi valley and the snow-clad line of mountains which fills in the view to the north-east. Descending slightly, and then running along a spur at right angles to the range just crossed at a considerable height above a valley running east and west, the track provided a charming walk, shaded by a multitude of forest trees, conspicuous among which were magnificent rhododendron-trees ablaze with crimson flower. A tiny mountain hamlet, T'ai-p'ing-p'u, provides a halting-place for the night on the evening of the third day out from Tali Fu.

"Sir," said Joe the following morning, looking in as I finished breakfast, "can I speak to you?" "Certainly," I replied. "I hear a very funny story here, sir," he began. "Well, let's have it," I said. "They say, sir," he continued hesitatingly, and staring at my now empty plate, "that anybody who eats T'ai-p'ing-p'u eggs must surely be taken ill with great pain!" "Good gracious, Joe," I gasped, "do you realise that I have just eaten