A dismal drizely dawn gave little hopes of early progress on our journey. 'The inn people " brought some more eggs, tea and Chinese bread, and when' this breakfast had been consumed and paid for ata substantial price, the problem of the road Temained to be considered. The rain showed some signs of holding off for time but the authorities gave no" Promise of being able to go on at all that day. Meanwhile the three other Passengers, Chinese, who had spent the night at the inn, were negotiating for a cart, which they invited us to share; this was a good deal better than having to negotiate one at a ruinous price on our own, even if our two dollars was a large percent= age of the total charge for the cart hire. So we put our two bags into the cart and set out. It was a good deal more comfortable to walla than, to ride, but when rivers came in the way we had to climb in, Sein three hours we arrived at our destination, Shihtao, only twenty-three hours overdue, Two or three days of good strong sun Improved the road so that it was possible to trust ourselves once more to the bus-road, there being no steamers from that particular port Just then, for holidays come fend and one has to take what transport offers when one cannot walt for what one would choose, 'The roads were much better, but roadsman held up the bus at intervals {o prophesy trouble and to climb on the' root in, readiness to ig Us out it'we fell into it. The rivers took ore negotiating this time and Toast two caused a halt, when the Dassengers "dismounted and" paddled ver and the bur took the waters at a charge; if only a camera had been handy! Twice the bus met holes and ad. to be Jacked out, but neither of these. "were deep, s0° that the Work Was quickly done." At dash toward Tiree in. the. afternoon, Weihalwet was reached and we were at the end at an eventful journey Photograph lustratin ting. motor trip are' on age 409.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.