( -49 ) 



owners of the rafts and boats refused to make way and seemed 

 amused at our akward predicament. We got back to the Residency 

 about 7 p.m., and I felt deeply indebted to Captain Strover for the 

 delightful day I had spent, and for the vast amount of information 

 he afforded me on all matters connected with Mengoon and its 

 ruins. 



88. The following day was spent in talking over my future plans 

 _., , ,. , .., -p and deciding upon the best course to be 



Future plans discussed with Re- . & r „ . „ T 



sideut for attaining object of Mis- adopted m case oi misfortune. 1 was 

 sion - warned at all times to be prepared for 



difficulties, as the country I would travel over was peopled by wild 

 tribes unamenable to law or reason ; and although it was hoped 

 nothing serious would happen, yet I could hardly expect to accom- 

 plish an expedition of the nature deputed me, without unpleasant- 

 nesses of some sort cropping up. This caution rather gave a zest 

 to my work for I was always fond of a life of excitement, 

 and anticipated some fun with these wild people ; however, with 

 a few exceptions, they troubled me very little. Captain Strover 

 next told me he had been making careful enquiries as to where I 

 was most likely to find the ficus elastica growing in a natural state ; 

 but as the only man who knew anything about the vicinity, was in 

 the King's employ, there was not only a difficulty in getting him to 

 the Eesidency — without causing suspicion — but also in getting 

 any information out of him. I believe an application was made 

 for some one who knew the country to accompany me, and as there 

 was but this one man at Mandalay, who had worked the ficus elastica 

 forests, it was hoped the bait would take, but apparently it did not, 

 for I heard nothing more on the subject. As things turned out, 

 however, it mattered little ; for with the information elicited by Cap- 

 tain Strover, and the sketch map prepared from what he had heard, 

 I got on admirably, and was always able to detect any little attempts 

 at deception on the part of my guides, who evidently had been in- 

 structed to mislead me. ' Regarding the distribution of the presents 

 I had brought from Rangoon, I also asked advice, but the Resi- 

 dent considered I had too few things, and suggested I should 

 without delay send off, and purchase a further supply of red and 

 white muslins, beads, &c, which fortunately I did, or I do not 

 know what would have been the consequence : very likely the absence 

 of these things would have been the means of getting me into 

 trouble, for the wild tribes are naturally of a jealous disposition, 

 and troublesome if any distinction is made in the presents. 



89. In the evening His Majesty's royal orders, addressed to 

 Receipt of Royal Orders to the the Governor of Mogoung and Bhamo, 



Governor of Mogoung. sanctioning my visiting their districts, 



7 



