Page:Ling-Nam; or, Interior views of southern China, including explorations in the hitherto untraversed island of Hainan (IA cu31924023225307).pdf/168

 164 Ling-Nam.

characteristic names, One is called the ‘Scissors Rapid ” from its peculiar shape. There is the “Little Tiger” rapid, and a few rods above the ‘Big Tiger,” and a little further still the “ Gurgling Sack.”

Having passed these in safety, we come abreast of the Yeung-shan pagoda, a nine-storied structure, built in the time of the Emperor Kien Lung (a.p. 1750), and supposed to exert a propitious influence over the surrounding country. This passed, we soon come in sight of the district city of Yeung-shan, one of the smallest of its order in the province, but provided with an excellent wall and some fine public buildings. A number of temples and monasteries occupy prominent and well-chosen sites on the hills extending from the back of the city to the north. On the sonth bank of the river, opposite the city, is Shing- nam market town, in which all the business and trade of the neighbourhood centres. The people in this vicinity are simple and well disposed; at each visit they have shown us great friendliness, urging us to preach, and expressing regret at the shortness of our stay. They have a reputation for great honesty in their dealings, a trait all the more praiseworthy because of its rarity. Within a year or two the Romanists have secured a foot~- hold here, but their work is still in the initiative, and their converts few, if any. The “Three Steps” rapid, in front of the city, and the “Eight Tribes” rapid, just above it, tax the strength of the bouat’s crew.

A turn in the river, as we proceed, soon hides the city from our view, and brings us te the entrance of the Lung-nga, or “ Dragon Tooth” pass, at the head of which the “Thunder” rapid ponrs over the rocks. For some