In an awkward rapid its towline had parted, and the huge structure tumbling uncontrolled in the water, was bearing down on us, broadside on.

It seemed as if we should be crushed against the rocks, and we must have been, but for the marvellous skill with which the sailors on the junk, just at the critical time, swung their vessel out of danger.

They were yelling with discord, but worked together as one man.
In the afternoon we were at Feng-tu-hsien, a flourishing river port, one of the principal outlets of the opium traffic of the Upper Yangtse.

Next day we were at Fuchou, the other opium port, whose trade in opium is greater still than that of Feng-tu-hsien.

It is at the junction of a large tributary--the Kung-t'-an-ho, which is navigable for large vessels for more than two hundred miles.