We went on again, when a third time we came face on to a likin-barrier, and a third time my laoban was squeezed.

After this we were permitted to continue our journey.

For the rest of the day whenever the laoban caught my eye he raised three fingers and with a rueful shake of the head said "Kweichou haikwan (customs) no good"; and then he swore, no doubt.
My little boat was the smallest on the river.

In sailing it could hold its own with all but the long ferry boats or tenders which accompany the larger junks to land the trackers and towline.

These boats carry a huge square sail set vertically from sheer legs, and are very fast.