Bulletin of Catholic University of Peking

58 BULLETIN NUMBER FOUR

that the gods are then and there holding high carnival. But to the exiles, all these beauties of nature seem extravagant and useless expenditures of space, since they do not help to keep soul and body together.

For the benefit of any who may wish _to visit this secluded and mountainous region, or other places in the Western Hills, we would offer a few suggestions. Horses accustomed to traveling on level roads are useless for rough mountain climbing. Mules are very sure-footed, and those which carry coal from the mines situated deep in the mountains, to the different rail-heads, are the most satisfactory. Of recent years many persons make this trip on foot. If mules are used, we generally substitute ourselves and our baggage in place of the coal-bags, and hope for the best. The animals have neither stirrups nor bridle-reins. They are accustomed to picking their own way over the mountain trails, and it might

prove disastrous to use bit and bridle.

One characteristic of these animals is certainly trying to the nerves. The beasts appear to be utterly devoid of any feeling of dizziness. If they see a tempting morsel growing over a precipitous ledge, no matter whether the drop below is ten feet or five hundred, they reach over and appropriate it with perfect calmness. But the rider, who is perched high up on the animal’s pack, feels as though he were balancing between Time and Eternity; and is far from composed.

In making this trip, one cannot depend upon inns for food. Practically all supplies must be carried, as very little can be procured along the way. Cots are a great comfort. Temples can be found for shelter. Tents, as a rule, are not a necessary part of equipment. Those who enjoy wild scenery and rough trails, will feel themselves richly rewarded by a trip to the ‘“‘LostTribe”’ valley.

A222 E21 € >