Page:Ling-Nam; or, Interior views of southern China, including explorations in the hitherto untraversed island of Hainan (IA cu31924023225307).pdf/90

 86 Ling-Nam.

tainous, but the hills are all bleak and barren, presenting a most dreary appearance, Mineral deposits are found in several places. Tron ore is reported to be abundant in the north-west portion of Yan-ping district, coal deposits being found in the same locality. This belt of iron and coal reaches across the dividing ridge into the Yeung- chun district beyond. The ore, of which specimens have been obtained from several places, is micaceous specular ore, containing seventy per cent. of iron and thirty per cent, of oxygen. Near the town of No-fu gold is found, and has been worked to a limited extent by men returned from the mines in California and Australia. Many por- tions of the country show the blighting effects of the Hakka rebellion that swept over this section about twenty years ago; villages in ruins, and broad tracts of rich plain land still uncultivated, bear witness to the desola~ tions of the marauders.

The coast line of these districts is indented by many bays and inlets, with small islands adjacent, which form the hannts of pirates. The depredations of these free- booters add an element of uncertainty to life along the coast. Many thrilling tales are told of capture and rescue. -A favourite method of the pirates is to wait until the men of the village have gone to their work in the fields, then pounce upon the unprotected place, carry off the women and children as slaves, murder the sick and helpless, and appropriate all the portable property. Their prisoners are sometimes held for ransom, and exposed to torture to secure promises of larger sums. If, at the end of the time fixed, no ransom is bronght, they are disposed of as the robbers see fit,