Page:Ling-Nam; or, Interior views of southern China, including explorations in the hitherto untraversed island of Hainan (IA cu31924023225307).pdf/222

 218 Ling-Naue.

marble, limestone, sandstone, and trap are thrown to- gether in delightful confusion, showing the upheaval and admixture of the various strata to have been complete when this great ridge was formed. Above the main fall the water descends in rapids for some distance, so that the whole fall is probably not less than five hundred feet, the climax being reached in that tremendous plunge of three hundred feet. For those who do not feel inclined to try the passage up the gorge just described, there is another way. Half a mile to the north from the foot of the lower fall, a good path ascends the hill, leading to the top of the upper fall. From a point on this path is gained the most comprehensive view of the falls, where, without personal discomfort, they can he seen to admirable advantage. The stream that forms the fall comes from an extensive upland plain, which is filled with a vigorous but rather turbulent population, and was the home, not many years ago, of organised companies of robbers, who went forth in strong bands to plunder the people of the lower plains, until the whole countryside rose in arms, and defeated them in their own strongholds, On one occasion, as the people of this plain were celebrating the “‘ dragon-boat ” festival, one of the beats was drawn by the swift current into the rapids, where it was soon beyond control, and was swept over the precipice with the awful vortex of the falls, but one of the thirty-six men it contained escaping with his life.

Here, having reached the source of the Lien-chow stream, we debate the question of return. Two routes are open to us. We-can retrace our course down the river,