Page:A wandering student in the Far East vol.1 - Zetland.djvu/335

Rh series of French explorers fought to establish the practicability of the Mekong as an artery of communication from their sea-board to the heart of China, provides a chapter of engrossing interest in the story of the exploration of Asia. With indefatigable zeal steam launches were forced up 1600 miles of hostile river; but the enterprise proved of no practical value. "Even below Luang Prabang the navigation of the river is fraught with immense difficulty; above that point it is excessively dangerous; and therefore it may safely be averred that there is little probability of the trade of the Hinterland of Indo-China being diverted from its ancient channels by means of a steam flotilla plying upon the waters of the Mekong."

That part of the Mekong which stood athwart my course must be considered, as M. Vivien St Martin points out, "not as a trade route, but as a barrier to commerce, since each crossing of the river necessitates a descent and an ascent of from 3300 feet to 4400 feet each." Having negotiated the descent and the ascent, I sought shelter and