The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1913-07-23
JOTTlNGS OF A
WORLD JOURNEY
Reviews World Tourists Again Heard
From; This Time Tey Write
From China.
SHOOTING RAPIDS, MIN RIVER
Frai Raft Swiftly Giides Through
Roaring Waters, Ably Managed
by Native Raftsman.

It was morning. The Chinese in
land village of Gwan Use was envelop
ed in mists. The Min river with its
dangerous rapids and submerged
rocks could be heard, but not seen.
We were to have new experience
Standing on the stony shore we
strained our eyes attempting to pierce
the mists, and the only answer to our
long halloo was the rushing back OF
orr waiting cry But our staying
was not in vain Suddenly out OF the
lifting msts a strange craft appeared.
In form like huge tOboggan, IN tact
a bamboo raft Eighteen poles dashed
together with front turned up like
great sled runner describes our con-
veyance In the center OF this crude
water ship and running lengthWise OF
it was small bench about six feet
long and one foot in width On this
we sat and balanced ourselves to keep
clear of the ever present water
We heard much about shooting the
rapids of the Min river in bamboo
raft; we We're now to have the thrill
ing experience. With some misgiv-
ings We stepped out on the seemingly
frail rocking affair and our pilot
showed off. At first we were in quiet
waters, and our raftsman, keeping
near the shore, showed the boat along
with a slender bamboo pole. His
method was quite unique. Dropping
enc end of the stick into the water
and throwing his shoulder against the
other end he would walk from front to
rear and thus we moved. The raft
rocked with each step and in that
particular place settled below the sur
face of the water, but what cared he
who wore but little clothing below the
hips.
The primeval stiffness was finally
broken by the distant roar OF the
river. Louder and louder it grew, un-
til looking ahead we could see the Wa
tiers dashing against the rocky sides
in rounding a sharp bend. We glanced
at the face of our pilot and his calm
impossible countenance treasured US.
He stopped his polling and turned with
balanced bamboo to meet the emer-
gency. The speed of the raft began to
increase Faster and faster we went.
The waters roared and dashed. A mo-
ment and all was over. We had safe
" passed the first rapids and were
sailing the quiet waters beyond.
The broadening deep stretches OF
the river gave opportunity to look
about. The sun was now shining from
a clear sky and the revelation beggars
description.
The ever changing rugged hills
would have been interesting OF them
selves, but when they showed their
steep sides covered to the summit
with dense fields of fern, they were
natures beauty uneXcelled The mlsts
of the morning had but increased the
density of their coats OF green and
the heralds of the day caused the
mvriads of water worlds to flash back
their good day." Over to our right
under the shadow Of a rocky cliff, that
pushed itself out Of the water, a few
fine mallards We're taking their morn
ing bath. There was fash, and the
report of our gun echoed and re-echoeo
among the hills. The sudden eXplcs
ion aroused the feeding partrldges
on the mountain side, who WhlrreC
away to fields much more removed
The frightened ducks gave thell
warning cry; the feathers flew, but al
went with the water birds as the.
sought the safer retreats. We ha(
tailed, Out tudl was eApoCIou.
pointment, if disappointment there
was, soon disappeared in the strang'
beauty that surrounded. A little WI
lage tucked back under the shadoV
of the everlasting hill, nestled CLOS
up to the monster protector, lest per
chance the raging waters carry II OF
to the sea.
Far up on the mountain side, stand
ing out like huge sentinel, tamil
lar pagoda reared itself, spirit OF al
old superstition fast slipping away
A small Buddhist temple with its white
washed sides occupied the summit
a nearby peak.
Just ahead of us five bamboo raft
like our own were making desperate
effort to get upstream against an op
posing rapids Each owner was II
the water trying to pull the light LOAF
against the current. 1t seemed to Vi
that it would have been easier hat
they lifted the RATS to their shoulder
and carried them 'land-way.'
A little farther en- a sight ever
more interesting was ours. One
the large Kiagsi boats were belnt
towed upstream by dozen coolies
Each had a short rope around on
shoulder and this in turn was fastened
to long rope that reached back u
the boat. Their ever changing posi-
ton held the attention. When W.
first saw them they were cllmbln'
over great rocks that lined the shore
around whose smooth huge sides the!
could not go. In short time the!
were away up the steep BLUM on TN
trail, but not for long. The next w
knew they were in the sands on tn
shore. With bodies almost prone OF
the ground they strained every muscle
to accomplish the slow task; and al
the time that "he-ah hullah HE al
hey without which work song tht
Chinaman is helpless, and which once
heard is never forgotten.
The noon hour arrived and our cap
tain, pilot, first officer, chief engineer
steward. cook and table boy shovel
the raft ashore, produced SINAI
Chinese stove, pushed back the ashes
put in few pieces of charcoal, p!ace(
the iron kettle in position and soor
the rice was ready for consumption
He showed his pleasure when we ask
ed for the second bowl full. Ihe
m tho W9tGI