( 141 ) 



him, and the conversation was carried on, in a whisper. From 

 what he said, it appeared he regarded it unwise to say all he want- 

 ed before the large crowd that had assembled, when I called during 

 the day, fearing the conversation might reach His Majesty's hear- 

 ing. He now, however, told us he had received instructions that I 

 was not to be allowed to take away any Fie us elastica plant, nor receive 

 any information about them, but that as I had assured him the 

 chief object of my mission was to collect these trees for a good 

 purpose, and that they were eventually to be planted in and about 

 the vicinity of the Shice-de-gyee pagoda, he would, on a promise of 

 secrecy, assist me to the utmost, and even add a few plants to my 

 collection. I accepted his offer with thanks, and expressed a hope 

 that I might at some future date be in a position to display my gra- 

 titude. The conversation now took a political turn, and I was ques- 

 tioned regarding the strength of the British force in Burma, and the 

 ultimate object we had in view ; though cautious in my replies, I 

 was equally careful to display no want of confidence. A few words 

 of information now in respect to the habits and customs of the moun- 

 taineers among whom I was going, and advice as to the action I 

 should take in case of difficulties, ended the meeting, and I got back 

 to my boat at 2 a.m. Before closing this day's diary, I must 

 mention that two Kakhyen slaves were exposed for sale here — 

 a boy and a girl of about eighteen and thirteen years respectively, 

 the former having been valued at Rs. 80, and the latter at Rs. 60 : 

 evidently they were Shan-Burmese that had been captured when 

 mere infants at some raid ; they seemed happy and contented, 

 and were equally well dressed with the rest of the party. 



246. Wednesday, 21st January 1874. — Fog less dense than usual. 

 Thermometer 47° at 6 a.m. Started at 10 a.m., after a good deal of 

 trouble in getting the people together. My party mustered thirteen 

 men, of whom five were Kakhyen coolies, the sixth, the Pontine of 

 Kowkar — who acted as guide — and the remainder, my peons, and 

 interpreters. All carried arms, embracing swords, spears, cross- 

 bows, and muskets. Following a southerly course we soon came 

 in sight of Hokah, and although on looking at the map, this appears 

 rather an indirect line, yet it is considered the most practical, being 

 the nearest to the old trade route to China, which lay in the direc- 

 tion we intended taking. From about opposite Hokah, we struck 

 off due east, passing through a continuous forest of Shorea, which 

 had been cleared for the culture of paddy and Sessamum indieum, with 

 some regard to system, the intermediate belts of trees having been 

 left to demarcate the different holdings. The soil is a black 

 loam. Came on the fresh dung and prints of elephants, and shortly 



