ed the same river on a bridge merely composed of
a thick rope of yak skin tightly stretched from one bank to the other. A
sort of wooden stirrup was suspended by a solid strap to a moveable
pulley on the rope. The shepherd had only to place himself backwards,
under this strange bridge, with his feet on the stirrup, and hold on to
the rope with both his hands; he then pulled the rope gently; [Picture:
Iron Chain Bridge] the mere weight of his body made the pulley move, and
he reached the other side in a very short time. These bridges are very
common in Thibet, and are very convenient for crossing torrents and
precipices; but one must be accustomed to them. We ourselves never
ventured on them. Iron chain bridges also are much in use, particularly
in the provinces of Ouei and Dzang. To construct them, as many iron
hooks are fixed on both sides of the river as there are to be chains,
then the chains are fastened, and on the chains planks, which are
sometimes covered with a coating of earth. As these bridges are
extremely elastic, they are furnished with hand-rails.

We arrived at length safe and sound at the frontiers of China, where the
climate of Thibet gave us a very cold farewell. In crossing the mountain
which precedes the town of Ta-Tsien-Lou, we were almost buried in the
snow, it fell so thick and fast; and which accompanied us into the valley
where stands the Chinese town, which, in its turn, received us with a
pelting rain. It was in the early part of June, 1846, and three months
since we had departed from Lha-Ssa; according to the Chinese Itinerary,
we had travelled 5,050 lis.

Ta-Tsien-Lou signifies the forge of arrows, and this name was given to
the town, because in the year 234 of our era, General Wou-Heou, while
leading his army against the southern countries, sent one of his
lieutenants to establish there a forge of arrows. This district has by
turns belonged to the Thibetians and to the Chinese; for the last hundred
years it has been considered as an integral part of the empire.

"The walls and fortifications of Ta-Tsien-Lou," says the Chinese
Itinerary, "are of freestone. Chinese and Thibetians dwell there
together. It is thence that the officers and troops, which are sent to
Thibet quit China. Though it passes also a large quantity of tea coming
from China, and destined to supply the provinces of Thibet, it is at
Ta-Tsien-Lou that is held the principal tea fair. Although the
inhabitants of