INTRODUCTION. XV 



would move until the guard had fired a volley to frighten away the Nats and any 

 ill-disposed persons. 



At Ponsee, we were deserted hy the muleteers, who carried off all the mules; and, 

 pitching our tents, we were detained there over two months hy the hostile attitude 

 of the Hill Chiefs, and the constant reports of open opposition to he looked for, if we 

 attempted to advance. It was only when we arrived at Ponsee that we ascertained 

 the real political condition of the country to the east, and that in crossing a small 

 stream on the 2nd March, we had entered the Empire of China and the Province of 

 Yunnan, which was then in open rehellion. 



Two months in such a locality, under more favourable circumstances, would 

 have yielded a rich harvest of zoological results; but during the period we resided at 

 Ponsee, we lived in constant expectation of being attacked ; and on one occasion the 

 headmen of even the village of Ponsee itself had the audacity to fire into our camp, 

 which was completely commanded by their village. There was also always an ele- 

 ment of uncertainty regarding our possible advance, as a portion of each day was 

 generally occupied in treating with the hillmen and with Shans from beyond for 

 carriage to take us forward ; and if this had been found, our only chance of pro- 

 ceeding was to have availed ourselves of it at once. Every day when I went out, 

 there was the constant expectation of finding on my return the camp struck, and the 

 Mission prepared to start. This state of things, of course, materially restricted my 

 movements, and interfered with my researches. Apart, however, from these circum- 

 stances, the precipitous character of the hillsides, the dense nature of the jungle 

 clothing them, and the paucity of hill paths, made collecting a most difficult under- 

 taking. 



Leaving Ponsee, a descent of nearly 1,000 feet brought us into the valley of 

 Sanda, inhabited by Shans. 



On this march the same difficulties had to be contended with as on the previ- 

 ous marches ; and at Manwyne, the first town at which the Expedition halted, the 

 inhabitants objected strongly to the use of firearms, and our movements there were 

 jealously watched, and when going out anywhere we were followed by a crowd of 

 inquisitive natives. Proceeding from Manwyne along the level valley which, at the 

 season we travelled through it, was completely under rice cultivation, irrigated by 

 artificial channels from the Tah6 river, the Expedition was attacked within one hour 

 of its departure from Manwyne ; and the result was that we had to use the greatest 

 circumspection until Sanda (Sanda-foo of the maps) was reached. 



At Sanda, there was the same objection to the use of firearms as at Manwyne ; 

 and on my return to this town, about two months afterwards, I was especially asked 

 not to fire on the hillside behind the town, as my doing so would certainly induce 



