Viewing page 22 of 25

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

- 22 -

soldiers escorted us across the pass. Then they returned to Chin Chi Shien. For twenty li we had no escort. There was no path by which brigands could get to the main road, so we were safe. Then we were met by soldiers from the east side of the mountain who escorted us to this place Huang Li Pu. On the Tatsienlu trip we did not stop here, but went all the way to Uin Gin Shien, making two days' journey in one At that time it was not safe to stay over night at Huang Li Pu. Most of us are tired tonight and Yang Fong Tsang is sick, so we are glad to stop here. It rained some this afternoon.

I secured a good snake and we secured a few good insects.

The soldiers have recently killed several robbers on the Ta Shiang Lin Pass, and have burnt up the robber hovels, so there was less danger today than when we went to Ningyuenfu. However, it has become more dangerous between here and Yachow. A caravan of opium was robbed today and a battle ensued. Soldiers and militia recovered most of the opium. Today I killed three birds. We could kill more birds, but there is no use killing birds of which we have secured plenty of specimens.

So far I have walked every step of the way to Ningyuenfu and back, including side trips and excursions.

A number of friendly people in this town called on me after my arrival this afternoon.

Aug. 25. This morning we had a military escort for twenty li, then one was not [[underline]] seemed [[/underline]] ^[[deemed]] necessary until we reached Uin Gin Shien. Six soldiers and a yamen runner escorted us here. We passed a place where a foreigner, Dr. Hill, was robbed the year I went to Tatsienlu, and where yesterday nearly one hundred brigands robbed a caravan of pack animals loaded with opium and other things. The battle between soldiers and militia on one hand and the brigands on the other hand continued until about noon today. No soldiers were hurt. I do not know about the robbers.

Recently brigands robbed on the main road only a few li from Yachow. A few li from here we cross the Pass called Gi^[[1]] Tsi^[[3]] Gang^[[4]], where robbing frequently occurs. A good escort is very important, and I have just succeeded in arranging for a good escort all the way to Yachow. With this escort I should reach Yachow without seeing any robbers.

However, I have a last card to play. I have very frequently been told that without a single soldier to escort you you can pass through any robber-ridden district between Ningyuenfu and Yachow if you have the calling card of General Yang of the Ningyuenfu district with his private seal on it. General Yang gave me one of these cards with the injunction that I must return it after reaching Suifu.

We secured some good insects today. We secured a good catch of night-moths last night.

We are in an excellent place for using the gasolene lantern to catch night-moths, but at present this is a military camp, and tonight guards are stationed in all directions to [[underline]] present [[/underline]] ^[[prevent]] a night-attack by the robbers, who are within striking distance. The military officers would be much displeased if we used the bright lantern outside the town.