The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-10-20
An Ingenious Method of BrIdge-BuiId-
ing Practiced by People Who
Have No Machinery.
AMONG HIGHEST MOUNTAINS
VAST RANGES OF sNOw-COvERED
PEAKS AN IMPRESSIVE SIGHT.
Natives PIacate the Devil by Engag-
ing i'm Singular Ceremonies and
by Sacrifice OF Animals.

["Among the Farthest People" Copyright by
w c J. Reidl
After travelling several miles 10 the south
along the left bank of the Paskou-Gol we
came upon a substantial bridge OF heavy
logs, the first structure OF the kind we had
noticed in this region. and which certainly
did credit TO its constructors II was of a
form very common in eastern Thibet, con-
structed in the following manner. somewhat
on the cantilever system. In the shallow
water near either shore two substantial
piers are built OF logs laid transversely on
top Of each other. held in place by heavy
stones and earth around and overlapping
them. From these logs OF greater length
stretched out toward the center of the
stream, each successive tier projecting
further over the stream than the one i'm
mediately under IL. until the distance be-
tween the works on the opposite shores has
been reduced to twenty-five thirty feet.
the intervening space being spanned by sew
eral long logs bound together by rawhIde
thongs and timber branches. Loose mud Is
plastered over the surface and this soon
hardens I'm the sun, forming a smooth and
safe highway, although the ordeal OF pass
ing over one OF these structures. with a
raging current below, and jagged rocks
leering UP with eager. hungry looks. Is such
TO swamp sentiment in fright.
A COMMERCIAL CENTER.
A march OF twelve miles across a rolling
plain. split up by low mountain ranges and
intersected by small streams and broad
tongues OF swamp, brought US TO the high
est elevation of the plateau. which. with
few Interruptions. extends from the Takar-
Max east OF the Paskou-Gol. when, with an
abrupt descent OF three miles. we reached
Tchong-Siba. Next TO Artchoun. which we
did not visit. our route lay TO the south.
Tchong-Siba is the most important town on
the upper Hoang-Ho. IL occupies a place of
considerable strategic commercial Inn
portance, situated some thirty miles north
Of Artchoun. and is the rallying point for
no less than six important trade roads from
the country TO the south The main part
OF the town lies about I'VE mics 1rS0>the
Ma-Chu. which. at this point. is a consider
able stream, with swift current, nearly
two hundred yards wide and comparatively
free of distractions. and can be easily
crossed by a number OF practicable fords,
spanned by a bridge. The town itself is
built at the base Of a spur projecting from
the southern system of the Aminarian-Ula
and contains upwards Of two hundred sub
stantial dwellings, with numerous encamp-
ments of nomad M6ngols I'm scattered ham,
lets occupying the district to the bank of
the Ma-Chu. There is a small laUasery on
an elevated ridge 10 the south, shetering
fifty or sixty monks, and two larger ones
near Artchoun, which is the governmental
seat Of the district, containing a representa-
tive OF the Amban of Koko Nor and a small
force of Chinese soldiers. The population OF
the settled part of the town are mostly
Thibetans, who carry on an extensive trade
with the surrounding district, although the
town is rather more a depot than a direct
purchasing center. Their commercial agents
and brokers engage trading ventures
among the smaller native encampments
and villages the goods thus secured are
brought to Tchong- Siba, and, I'm turn, ex-
ported to Lan-Chou. Kung-Chang and
Sung-P'an. These products are large and
varied, comprising mules and horses. iron
ore. gold and silver dust, hides, wool, skins
and furs. From one OF the native traders
we learned that products TO the value OF
1900 taels were exported annually The i'm
port trade is much smaller. being limited to
cloth, brown sugar, beads for rosaries,
boots, amber for ornaments and a few other
articles Of no great value. The tea trade.
however. is quite large, although the near
situation Of Artchoun, lying on the same
trade route. greatly detracts from the COM
mercial Importance Of Tchong-Siba.
AN UNATTRACTIVE VILLAGE.
The town is divided into three nachu or
quarters, which are separated by low mud
walls. for what purpose is not apparent
The streets hardly merit the name. and no.
where could admit wheel carriages: they
are but narrow passages three or four feet
wide. frightfully dirty. and Uttered with
filth and refuse OF all descriptions. Some Of
the wider thOroughfares are hanked by
small bazaars and caravansaries where the
traders carry on their business. The houses
are usually two stories. with fat roofs and
balconies TO the south west. built in the
usual Thibetan style OF architecture. OF
stones held together with plaster OF mud.
and whitewashed. The lamasery, however,
is an imposing structure, four stories high.
in "A lofty and picturesque situation. and
would be strategically strong but for the
absence Of water. 1t is supported partly by
its own lands, but chiefly by liberal gifts
from the townspeople. with whose interests
the lamas identify themselves: in fact tho
position OF these relegieux throughout
Thbet is that Of independent feudaI COM
but they bear position analogous 10 the
Templars OF the middle ages. and when &C.
casion requires they Will readily forsake
their monastic piety for the diversion OF
hostile strife.
North OF Tchong-Siba were a large num-
Der OF isolated peaks, much higher than the
general average Of the ranges In the vicin-
ity. TWO especially, 20 which the natives
gave the names OF Ghakal and Tcho-So.
were majestic SUBMITS. and learning that
an extensive view OF the surrounding coun-
try might be gained from their SUBMITS. as
the weather was fairly equable, We decided
10 climb the latter peak for the purpose OF
studying the topography OF the district
north Of the Ma-Chu. When We first spoke
or going up the mountain some or the
tives expressed themselves willing 10 40
with us; but. when We actually got ready
10 start. they declined 20 DO SO. as some OF
their fellows had filled their ears with fan
tastic narratives OF our intention OF be-
witching them. and they naturally mis-
trusted the real nature OF our reasons for
making the ascent. Finally. two more yen-