266 Captain Hannay s Route [April, 



yueesh taken away by the Chinese Is brought from a spot five marches 

 to the north-west of Mogaung, but it is found in several other parts 

 of the country, although of an inferior quality. Serpentine and lime- 

 stone are the prevailing formations of the base of the highest ranges 

 of hills throughout this part of the country. Steatite is also abun- 

 dant in the bed of the Irawadi below the valley of Khanti." 



One very important object of Captain Hannay's mission was to 

 cross the Patkoi mountains into Assam, and on his arrival at Mogaung 

 he waited some days in considerable anxiety for the Kakhyen porters, 

 who were to convey his baggage and supplies during the remaining 

 portion of the journey : — he soon found, however, that the authority 

 of the Burmans when unenforced by the presence of a large military 

 detachment, was held in the most sovereign contempt by these hardy 

 mountaineers, and after many fruitless attempts to induce the Mogaung 

 woun to allow him to proceed with even a small party, he was con- 

 strained to limit his further researches to the Hdkong valley and amber 

 mines. Repeated remonstrances were necessary to induce the gover- 

 nor to proceed even so far, and it was not until the 19th of the month 

 that an advanced guard crossed the river, and fired a feu de joie, after 

 performing the ceremony of sacrificing a baffaloe to the Nhatgyee 

 (or spirits of the three brother Tsaubuas of Mogaung), without which 

 no expedition ever marches from the town. Even then, the dogged 

 obstinacy of the governor induced him to delay his departure, and it 

 was not until Captain Hannay threatened that he would instantly 

 return to Ava if there were any longer delay, that the wily diploma- 

 tist could be induced to move. 



On the 22nd they crossed the river, and the camp was formed on 

 the northern bank, in strict accordance with Burmese custom. Cap- 

 tain Hannay's tent (a common sepoy's pal) was the admiration of 

 every one but its owner, who now for the first time marched with an 

 undisciplined rabble. " The soldiers' huts," says Capt. Hannay, 

 " are composed of branches of trees and grass, and if they wish to 

 be particular, they cover them with a piece of cloth, which is gene- 

 rally some old article of dress. The Myo-wun's station is in the cen- 

 tre of the camp, and in front of him are his own immediate followers, 

 whose huts are formed into a street marked by a double line of spears. 

 At the head of this street the flags are placed, and also the two small 

 cannons (one-pounders), which are sent with the force, I believe, for 

 the purpose of firing three rounds morning and evening, to frighten 

 the neighbouring Kakhyens, and which ceremony, I suspect, will be 

 gone through with as much gravity, as if it would have the desired 



