Page:Ling-Nam; or, Interior views of southern China, including explorations in the hitherto untraversed island of Hainan (IA cu31924023225307).pdf/188

 184 Ling-Nazm.

with the first. one on the left as we ascend, and also in the order of their size, the first being the smallest. Its direction is from the south, flowing in a portion of its course through a country of Alpine beauty and grandeur. It is a shallow, turbulent stream, filled with rocks and rapids subject to sudden freshets, as after storms of rain the water pours down the steep mountains along its course, and in the season of drought dwindling to a mere brook.

For the first fifteen miles its course lies through a comparatively level country, with broad fields of rice and other grain filling the space between the river and the hills. Many sweeps and curves bring it abreast of picturesque hills, on one of which, in a conspicnous place, are a fort and a monastery, with many red buildings grouped about them. As the stream is difficult to travel, the usual course is by footpath across the fields and over some low-lying hills to Sam-kong. Midway to this town is the guard station of Sha-ty-kong, near which is seen a grove of wonderfully fine trees, which invites to rest and the study of nature. The oil-bearing camellia shows itself in increasing abundance, groves of this shrub covering many of the hillsides. After passing several large villages, among which one, Lung-hau, is especially conspicuous by its high, substantial wall, a stout reminder of troublous times, we come to the river opposite Sam- kong. Here a fine substantial bridge a few years ago spanned the stream, but was swept away by one of those sudden floods so characteristic of this region.

Sam-kong is a town of considerable importance, and has appeared conspicuously in the history of this district,