TSEKOU TO KHAMTI 



conceded their grounds, but resented the consequence. Neces- 

 sity has no law : here, as at home, hunger is hunger. Our 

 pHght proclaimed the socialist theory to us more clearly than 

 the loudest speech, even to the excuse of robbery with want for 

 cause. The Haves defend themselves from the Have Nots ; 

 and justly. But when the former condemn the latter without 

 remission in the name of high-sounding principles, they have 

 not put themselves in the others' place. We were now in the 

 position of the indigent ; and, reflecting, became indulgent. 



As the result of a council held in the preceding evening with 

 Anio and Joseph, we set forward again on the 27th (October). 

 From Tukiu-mu to the big river was reported four days' march. 

 We had food for two. Our design was to go on short rations, and 

 to send Seran-Seli with two men on ahead to try and procure 

 supplies to meet us. In the midst of our perplexities we had the 

 satisfaction to detect no sign of discontent among our followers 

 proper. They simply asked if we were going much farther, with a 

 view to avoiding this route on their way back to Tsekou ; to which 

 I gladly replied by a promise to send them home by Ava in Burmah. 

 and Tali, and they were satisfied. 



Our departure was slow. At the last moment most of the 

 local carriers vanished. It was no time for compliments, so we 

 promptly collared some Kioutses who were innocently looking 

 on, and started with nine pressed hands. After a few hours' 

 marching in a steady downpour through dripping woods, we came 

 to the confluence of the Kiou-kiang with a stream on the right 

 bank, the Du-tchu-mu. This river rolled a strong head of water 

 tumultuously over shingle bars, and its black tide was furrowed 

 with ribands of foam for a considerable distance before minelino- 

 with the other. Here we found Seran-Seli, unable to pro- 



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