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I consulted with the sergeant and others, who were unanimous 

 in the opinion that I should proceed on the following morning, 

 and that, if the Tswabwa was displeased, I could easily return. 

 This was an easy way of disposing of the question, but a very 

 imprudent one, it appeared to me ; so, after a little more parley. 

 it was decided my plan should be acted on, and accordingly the 

 sergeant, my Kakhyen interpreter, and two other Shan-Burnians 

 were dispatched for Eonelein, with a message to the Tswabwa, say- 

 ing with his permission I would call on him the following morniug 

 at any horn- he would appoint. The distance to Eonelein had been 

 computed at seven miles up a stiff ascent, so I hardly expected to 

 learn the result of my message before midnight ; though the 

 sergeant assured me he would be back by about 10 p.m. ; this 

 did not seem probable, for it was now half-past five, and allow- 

 ing an horn* for the interview, they would have had to walk at a 

 good three miles an horn- to accomplish the journey in that time ; 

 certainly half the distance was down hill, which these people 

 descend at a very rapid pace. During their absence, time passed 

 slowly enough ; so slowly, that more than once I listened for the 

 tick of my watch to see it had not stopped. About ten o'clock we 

 saw a party descending the hill by torch-light, and immediately 

 concluded that they were my messengers, but I was disappointed ; 

 they turned out to be a party of young Kakhyen girls and boys 

 out for a midnight ramble and flirtation, which I am told they 

 prefer earning on in the depths of the forests to their parental 

 homes. They presented a most savage, yet picturesque group 

 as they approached, brandishing their torches over one another's 

 heads, and singing and capering about with wild delight. My 

 suspense was soon brought unexpectedly to an end by a shout from 

 the sergeant ordering the guard to open the gate, and in a few 

 minutes more I was introduced to three Kakhyens (an old man with 

 silvery -white hah* cut square over the forehead, the Pomine of the 

 village, and a lad of about seventeen), who had been sent by the 

 Tswabwa to make careful enquiries as to the true object of my visit, 

 and to bind me over to certain promises, before they consented to 

 my visiting Eonelein. They were all armed with dah s, spears, and 

 guns, and each had brought some trifling present for me in the 

 form of yams, beans, and other vegetables, which I accepted as a 

 good omen. After answering all their questions, which were put 

 in a most studied and measured manner, — an interval of two or 

 three minutes often occurring between each interrogative — I was 

 asked to bind myself not to proceed beyond their village, nor assist 

 then neighbours with whom they were at war ; not to come with 

 more than six armed men; and lastly, not to cast the evil-eye on 



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