( 21 ) 



we would a fork, and so on ; but this latter practice is a mere 

 matter of custom, and would hardly be noticed by European 

 foreigners. 



Before sitting down to breakfast, the Governor's attendants were 

 ejected, but, eager to see their worthy master feed, persisted in 

 flattening their noses against the panes of glass at the end of the 

 saloon, much to the annoyance of the Quartermaster, who remon- 

 strated, but to no effect. The Governor was evidently aware of my 

 being on board, though he appeared ignorant as to the exact ob- 

 ject of my mission, by the various questions put to me. I was 

 frank in my replies, for there was no occasion to be otherwise. 



37. During the conversation, the secretary seemed busily en- 



gaged taking notes of all that trans- 



Secretary taking notes. • j jti j.j.j 



J & pired, and I only regretted my igno- 



rance of the language would not admit of my rendering his notes 

 more complete by a description of the sad fate that befell the 

 immortal Mr. Pickwick under similar circumstances. 



38. Before leaving, the Woon expressed his regret that our stay 



was so limited, as he had hoped to en- 

 The Woon purchases a diamond tertain us in the evening with some 



ring. Profit made by broker. . . , , , ° -, -. 



amusing tricks by a learned pony and 

 a pooay. He seemed highly pleased with the politeness shown 

 him by Captain Bacon, and likewise with the bargain he had 

 made in the purchase of a diamond ring from a Burman broker 

 (en route to Mandalay to purchase India-rubber for some Rangoon 

 firm) for Bs. 450, the original price asked being Bs. 750. The 

 Burman, whom I knew sufficiently well to congratulate on the 

 small margin of profit he had gained, could no longer control his 

 countenance, and confessed to having cleared Bs. 270 on the trans- 

 action ; and, laughing, expressed a hope that he would be able to 

 drive a few more such honest bargains with the rest of his 

 diamonds, which it was his intention to exchange, at Mandalay, 

 for rubies. 



39. At noon the anchor was weighed, and we were once more 

 Further progress up the river to in motion. After leaving Minhla, our 



Nyoungoo. progress was much impeded, not only 



by a current of greater velocity, but also by a strong head-wind 

 and sand-storm. The left bank, with its red sandstone interspersed 

 with rocks and cliffs, and wooded by clumps of trees, showing here 

 and there little peeps of meadow-land, looked quite pretty. It is 

 g here that the large village of Mengoon 



engoon * is situated, numbering some 200 or 



300 houses. The river now begins somewhat to change its cha- 

 racter, and widens out considerably. The distance from bank to 



