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250 broad, flat-bottomed expanse densely cultivated—the first cultivation of any consequence met with since leaving Tali. Crossing the Yung-ping—evidently at some seasons of the year a broad expanse of water, but now reduced to two or three shallow streams flowing along the depressions of what looked like a broad riverbed—we reached the small town of Chu-tung. This valley is undoubtedly well populated, a number of small towns, or rather large villages, being visible along its length. During the evening I had a visitor in the shape of a Chinese student, a bearer of the second classical degree. He evidently hankered after better things, in the shape of more practical knowledge, and asked me to write down in English a statement of his desires, that he might present it, if opportunity offered, on reaching Burma, to which country he intended making his way.

Towards the end of a long march on February 19th I observed below me, at the foot of some steep hills, white "Cabul" tents and Indian camp-followers. This proved to be the encampment of Mr Lilley, an engineer