Page:Ling-Nam; or, Interior views of southern China, including explorations in the hitherto untraversed island of Hainan (IA cu31924023225307).pdf/92

 88 Ling-Nam.

the waves it was the signal for a general dispersion, and we may well believe that they made haste to hide them- selves. Received by the people around, who doubtless sympathised with them, and commanding respect and influence because of their superior acquirements and connection with the emperor, they would soon impress their character and speech upon the simple peasants among whom they lived. The prevalence of the surname Chiu-, which was the family name of the Sung emperors, is also cited as a proof of the number left behind after the great disaster at Ngai-shan.

From the head of navigation above the city of Yang- ping a postage-road leads over the dividing ridge to No-loong, whence boats convey the traveller down to the important city of Yeung-kong, from which centre of trade and influence roads and streams diverge, both sea~ ward and landward.