Their bells tinkled through the forest, while the herd boy filled the air with the sweet tones of his bamboo flute, breathing out his soul in music more beautiful than any bagpipes.
Cotton is the chief article of import entering China by this highway.
From Talifu to the frontier a traveller could trace his way by the fluffs of cotton torn by the bushes from the mule-packs.
The road through the forest reaches the highest points, because it is at the highest points that the Chinese forts are situated, either on the road or on some elevated clearing near it.
The forts are stockades inclosed in wooden palisades, and guarded by _chevaux de frise_ of sharp-cut bamboo.

The barracks are a few native straw-thatched wooden huts.

Perhaps a score or two of men form the garrison of each fort; they are badly armed, if armed at all.

There are no guns and no store supplies.

Water is trained into the stockades down open conduits of split bamboo.