Page:Ling-Nam; or, Interior views of southern China, including explorations in the hitherto untraversed island of Hainan (IA cu31924023225307).pdf/191

 Lren-Chow and the In People, 187

sources are very unsatisfactory. The chief sources of the seattered notices of them found in native books are the works of one Chik-nga, a man of considerable learning and ability, who flourished in the time of the Ming dynasty, and who, having been beaten because he neglected to dismount when the Nan-hai magistrate passed, fled to the In country, married one of their women, and lived among them for many years. He gives minute details of their manners, customs, ete., but unfortunately -his book is now exceedingly difficult to procure. The lus formerly occupied a much wider territory than they do now, but they have been driven back from time to time, until they are now confined to the high, and in many places almost inaccessible, mountains. They have re- peatedly revenged themselves on the Chinese, breaking forth in marauding bands, burning, plundering, murder- ing, until by one great effort the Chinese drove them back into their present home, and surrounded their country with guard stations.

The following is a translation of a paper issued from the office of the Prefect in Lien-chow, accompanied by a map of the district, with the names and situations of the various tribes :-—

“ As to the origin of the Iu people. In the time of Emperor Shao-Hing of the Sung dynasty (4.p. 1131-1163) anative of Lien-chow, named Liao, held an official position in Kwang-si, and on his return home bronght with him a number of Ju slaves, These he distributed among the mountains to cultivate the land. In a long course of years they increased and multiplied until they became eight large tribes. They continued to spread until the