Page:Ningpo to Shanghai.djvu/24

10 place records the spirit of a scholar in the Sung Dynasty of the name of Leo dow, who started, with a contribution of 300,000 Cash, a project for cutting a Canal from the adjacent River Tong. This canal, five thousand Chang (about thirteen miles), in length, was repaired in Kanghe's reign, and an additional record planted.

The River Tong or Koong Tong spoken of is a wide though shallow stream running from the westward. From Ing fong sze, a village of 300 families by its right bank, to Kong ling, another village of similar size, the distance in a westerly direction is five lē. The water here about has a strong iron smell. The people of the locality exhibit more than usual energy in the construction of causeways and embankments against the ravages of the stream. Though unswollen by floods, this stream runs at a rapid rate,rendering its navigation by the means employed viz, bamboo rafts, a work of much difficulty. On the bamboo rafts spoken of, articles of commerce are transported immense distances. Working against the current they are moved singly. Laden and passing down, as many as twenty may be seen lashed together in pairs when the stream is wide enough. These rafts are formed of the stoutest bamboos procurable, bent at the small ends by means of fire, so as to form a prow three feet above the floor which consists of some half a dozen bamboos swifted together. By placing bundles of bamboo branches on the top, a fine platform is constructed, and goods of the most delicate nature, as well as passengers can be transported with speed and safety. The agility exhibited by the prow-men with their bamboos, in keeping the rafts in a proper direction, is remarkable. Another description of raft is formed of short pieces of firewood, bundled in rows, like chains,&mdash;buckling up and floating over obstacles 