Page:Notes of a journey across the Isthmus of Krà.pdf/13

 boat. After an exciting and somewhat lengthy scrimmage we vanquished the enemy with paddles and bamboos, but not until we had drifted into the bushes on the opposite side, a considerable distance down the stream.

Ban Song is moderate-sized village inhabited principally by Chinese engaged at the tin mines, and is under the jurisdiction of the Governor of Langsuen. It is situated on the eastern verge, of the backbone range of mountains which in this part of the Peninsula runs adjacent to the east coast of the Bay of Bengal. It lies in a perfect nest of hills, and is dependent on the villages lower down the river for its supplies.

On the following day. February 2nd, the boats were dispatched to Langsuen for the remainder of the Expedition, observations for latitude and longitude were carefully made by Commander Bellion and myself with similar results, and atmospheric tide curves were also determined.

The approximate distance from Langsuen to this place by the bends of the river is fifty-six geographical miles, and the height above Langsuen by aneroid is 195 feet. February 3rd. Commander Bellion and his party ascended a steep hill in the neighbourhood of the village on those slow but sure footed indispensables, the elephants, to get another view of the country from this important position, but with no better success than before. Hills and mountains in grand confusion, clothed with primeval jungle trees of stately magnificence, were seen in every direction, but alas! no valley gladdened the sight of the beholders. Having completed investigations, the Expedition left on the 4th February at 7 a.m., the elephants being supplied by order of the Governor of Muong Rehnong. The track followed in the direction of the source of the river, sometimes over hilly ground near its banks, through dense jungle, and at other times up its rocky, tortuous, and uneven bed. At length, after innumerable ups and downs, twistings and turnings, we arrived in a jolted condition at the Kow Deng pass ten minutes before noon.

Kow Deng is the lowest gap of the backbone range in this locality; it is the boundary mark between the Provinces of Rehnong and Langsuen, and is elevated above the sea 630 feet