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miles by boats of ordinary size. The valley is identical with that 

 described at the set-out of our journey. 



266. The burning of grass in the plains had already com- 

 menced, and it is anything but agreeable walking through the 

 smoky atmosphere loaded with charred particles ; not only do the 

 eyes suffer, but fits of sneezing or coughing are brought on, 

 which are most tiresome. Before reaching Talo, a narrow 

 nullah of about 30 feet had to be crossed, on a single bamboo pole 

 propped up in three places. The Kakhyens and my people 

 went over bare-footed with no difficulty, but to me the feat did not 

 seem so easy, and, as I expected I lost my balance half way, 

 and tippled over into five feet of water, — this was grand fun for 

 my followers ; however, I was not long in scrambling up the 

 opposite bank, and joining in the laugh at myself. We got back to 

 our boats about 3 p.m., and found the river-bank lined with over a 

 hundred Kakhyens, who had come to the entertainment pro- 

 mised them. It was too late to prepare a meal to night, so the 

 dinner was postponed until the next day. On registering the 

 exact number, I found there were a hundred and thirty-three men, 

 women, and children ; none of these had come empty-handed, in 

 fact, it was a case of a sprat to catch a salmon. An old half-witted 

 Shan-Burnian woman of Talo now forced her way into my presence, 

 and, in a most excited state, begged that I would not confine my 

 charity to the Kakhyens, but remember herself and family, who 

 were poor and in need of assistance. A few silver bits soon quieted 

 the old thing, and we got rid of her. Although my little ramble 

 for the last four days had been attended with difficulties and 

 privations, yet I thoroughly enjoyed myself ; indeed, a tramp 

 through the gloomy mountain homes of these aboriginal people, 

 cannot fail to leave its impression, and increase one's stock of know- 

 ledge, though the intellects of those among whom we roam be 

 inferior to our own. The Kakhyens are in some respects but one 

 remove from the savage, yet in others they display an intelligence 

 which more than counterbalances their ignorance. 



267. My limited experience leads to the belief that they are 

 by no means so low in the scale of humanity as they are generally 

 classed. In all dealings I had with them, they were honest, and 

 when in their sober senses, cheerful, kind, and hospitable, dis- 

 playing also other desirable characteristics, which go to prove that, 

 with a very little trouble, this tribe might be moulded into a rational, 

 well-conducted people. Strange to say, I did not see a single pony 

 east of the Irrawaddy after leaving Talo, all inland traffic at this 

 season being carried on with mules, bullocks, or buffaloes. The 



