Smyrna times., 1886-12-22

after day, to such violent exertions in
dangerous places and living too a
double life, either in the water or out
of it, as the case might be. Yet it is
said these men always refuse to proceed
if it rains, because, they say, it is so wet.
The ninth rapids shall not forget,
as they occurred just in a bend in the
river. AT the right the water was
dashing over the high rocks sparinglv.
while on the left it swept in a volume
madly around the curve formed bv the
base of the mountains.
The many loaded boats going down
that shot around this curve like an
arrow, had hard work to keen them
selves from being either dashed to
pieces against the rocky bank or drawn
into the whirlpool. One boat went
smoothly over the dangers; another.
by the deXterous use of the pole, was
Kept from striking the rocky bank;
thlrd, going too far to the right, was
Whlrled completely around twice in the
Whirlpool, but came out right side up:
another swept safely into the centre of
the current, the man dropping his pole
calmly, commenced sculling; while
still another, being carried too far to
the right to ever go over safely, the
man was obliged to spring out before
being drawn into danger, and, holding
his boat by main force, called for
assistance. All me, l thought. we
must also go down this same dangerous
place when we return.
The nineteenth and twentieth rapids
were also wonderful, but the TWENTY
seventh one l thought we should not
be able to ascend.
L saw the prov was pointed towards
the only gap in the falls, which were
higher than usual, but we were moving
very slowly. When just ready to as
cend, with the water dashing down all
about us, looked back to the manager
OF my boat to see if he had strength or
courage enough to really take US up.
Ills eye was fixed steadily on the
point he wished to gain, and though
greatly heated by his forenOon's work.
yet be was making violent exertions.
the muscles standing out on his arms
and chest prominent enough to be
called by name, his lips were parted.
and groan escaped at every effort:
nnally, we were not moving at all.
Looking back again l saw he was
not really failing in strength, for he
was still maintaining the boat in this
trying position; but just then he raised
a great shout, and boy who had re-
Gently been taken on to assist dashed
over the falls from the forward boat.
Dut being swept past us by the rush of
waters worked himself towards the
shore, ran up above the rapids, and.
! plungIng in q second time, was carried
over ana down near enough to us to
grasp the boat, and then gaining a foot
hold, by the combined efforts of all. we
mounted to the smooth waters above
Much OF the forenoon having passed.
the men who had not stopped a mo-
ment since before six o'clock in the
morning were now growing weary.
seating themselves in my boat behind
my CHAIR they commenced eating their
simple meal of rice and vegetables.
laughlng and talking in happy mood.
altogether unconscious that thev had
! performed feats that day truly wonder
lul Ior human beings to do. Thev GER
talnly needed their rice, but were wiser
III their day and generation than some
| would have been in more civilized
countries, who surely would have
sought the stimulants of Intoxicating
drinks to strengthen them for great
emergencies.
When we had passed the thirtv-third
rapids, and now nearing noon. I saw
standing on the white beach a dozen or
more men, watching and apparently
waiting for us.
asked if this was Da T'sian. and was
told that this was the terminus of onr
Doat rlde, for we had now reached the
Ioot OF the mountains to ascend to Da
/ Ian San.
When our long skifs were stranded.
these men sprang in and snatched up
our goods as cats seize mice. I asked
my servant who these men were and
what they meant; he replied, he did
not know.
then sent him quickly to the native
pastor OF the little Baptist church here.
at whose house l was to rest a little.
asking him to come down. He soon
came, saying these were reliable men
that they had been waiting for NV
Doats to carry my goods up the noun
talns, anxious, as they always were, to
earn money by assisting the foreigners.
Ascending the stone steps to the
plateau above, we entered the town.
and rested and lunched at the preach
ers home. When he brought his wife
III 70 introduce her, almost her first
words were, " am Christian, too: I
Delleve and trust in the Saviour"
Precious words for an introduction.
After all had passed through during
the night and this forenoon, surround !
ed by heathen, with not a foreigner
near, 1t was pleasant bond of svm-
pathy TO meet one interested in the
Master and His cause, and ready to
speak His name.
Our talk was of the doctrine and of
Him whom we delight to serve, of the
Joy OF His presence with US in this life.
ana OF our hope of wOrshipping Him
forever In the world to come.
She spoke of her childhood and youth
IN the girls school in Ningpo, and the
blessing 1t had been to her. Nor did we
IN our conversation forget the poor
heathen about her, among whom her
life was now cast.
1t Is a great pleasure to meet a Chris. |
tan woman, bright and pleasant in her
ways, neat and clean in her home. sur
rounded with orderly children, show |
ing oy the great contrast to her neigh |
bOrs the refining and elevating in
huences of the Gospel. Her happV.
round face is before me now, and long
to meet her on my return.
When we come across little bands of
worshipers in these far away places
among the hills or in the valleys. we
realize the seed has not been sown in
vain, and feel too that in just these
places they are lights for future in
tluences.
Though the number may be small in
comparison to the multitudes that !
dwell in this land, yet who knows the
count of his people, but He who sees all |
hearts from above.
AT about halfpast twelve that hot
August day the chair men sent in word |
they had eaten their rice and were
ready.
But of this trip of ten miles up the
mountains in chair l will speak more |
particularly in my next letter.
Voting Down The Saloon.