Page:Ling-Nam; or, Interior views of southern China, including explorations in the hitherto untraversed island of Hainan (IA cu31924023225307).pdf/174

 170 Ling-Nam.

On the opposite side of the river from Siu-kong is a hill, with a fortified crest, which forms a conspicuous object for some distance up and down the river. The hill is thickly wooded for about two-thirds of the way up its sides, the rocky crest rising from a plateau of pine trees.

The course of the river here is much broken by rocks and rapids. Just below the town is the “Pine Apple ” rapid, and above the town is the “ Noisy Drunkard,” while a short distance further up the stream the “ Confusion” rapid rushes down abreast of a high hill, far up the steep sides of which a footpath runs along. Beyond this hill the country opens a little, giving space for rice and corn among the smaller hills. Several groves of camellias on the right promise a fine show of flowers to those who pass at the proper season, which can be enjoyed while the boat accomplishes the difficult task of ascending the Wong- kam rapids. Above this point the river makes a bend through a small plain, in which is the village of Shek-loh, whose pea-nut oil factories, enclosed by mud walls, indi- cate the nature of the principal business done there. Flocks of white egrets fly up and down the river, settling in the fields or on the river beach.

Swinging round another bend, ascending the “Yellow Ox” rapids, passing an old fort on the right and a village on the left, we turn once more.into the general north- west course, and after passing the “ Coffin” rapids, come to the Aot-water springs. When the water in the river is low, several springs bubble up among the rocks on the shore, but the principal spring is afew yards off in the little rayine ; it is enclosed in a circular basin about a yard in diameter and several feet deep. The water is too hot