series of French explorers fought to establish the practicability of the Mekong as an artery of communication from their sea-board to the heart of China, provides a chapter of engrossing interest in the story of the exploration of Asia. With indefatigable zeal steam launches were forced up 1600 miles of hostile river; but the enterprise proved of no practical value. "Even below Luang Prabang the navigation of the river is fraught with immense difficulty; above that point it is excessively dangerous; and therefore it may safely be averred that there is little probability of the trade of the Hinterland of Indo-China being diverted from its ancient channels by means of a steam flotilla plying upon the waters of the Mekong."[1]
That part of the Mekong which stood athwart my course must be considered, as M. Vivien St Martin points out, "not as a trade route, but as a barrier to commerce, since each crossing of the river necessitates a descent and an ascent of from 3300 feet to 4400 feet each." Having negotiated the descent and the ascent, I sought shelter and
- ↑ Hugh Clifford in 'Further India.'
