Peking to Lhasa : vol.1 / Page 308 (Color Image)

0308	Peking to Lhasa : vol.1

224 PEKING TO LHASA

a descent across undulating Li-ti P'ing grassy

downs among trees. Three or four big flocks of

sheep and goats were seen, and " a lot of small

flowers "—Pereira evidently was not a botanist !

It poured with rain during the afternoon and he got

soaked. At 161 miles was a small open, very

fertile plain on which were grown maize, rice and

tobacco. The Wei-si Ho was crossed by a high,

open, wood bridge, and the road then ascended

to Wei-si-hsien, a city of 250 families, at an eleva-

tion of 7016 feet. In the city the population

was Chinese, in the valley Mosu, and in the hills

Lisu.

Pereira stayed in the long loft or upper story

of a clean private house. As there was a shrine

in it, the Chinese were very particular that they

must be allowed up to perform their devotions,

though this is not a common feature of Chinese

life.

Rain again compelled Pereira to stop for a

day. It was raw and chilly, and he found a great-

coat very comfortable. He also had a charcoal

fire. There were few mosquitoes and he slept

without a net.

On August 20 he resumed his march, and at

141 miles reached Ka-ka-t'ang, 6312 feet. At

4/ miles he crossed the Wei-si Ho by a bridge to

the right bank and continued down the valley,

passing over the lower spurs. Ninety soldiers,

mostly boys, were also going to A-tun-tzu, and

passed him twice on the road. Some of the soldiers

besides the officers were riding. The transport

was coolie and a few mules, and often the coolies

were carrying seven rifles apiece. After 8 miles

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