1837.] from Ava to the Frontier of Assam. 275 



" The most favorable spots for digging are on such spaces on the 

 sides of the small hillocks as are free from jungle, and I am told that 

 the deeper the pits are dug, the finer the amber ; and that that kind 

 ■which is of a bright pale yellow, is only got at the depth of forty feet 

 under ground." 



A few days subsequent to this examination of the amber mines, 

 Captain Hannay visited the Numtunaee or Khyendwen, which flows 

 through the valley about five miles north of Meingkhwon in this part 

 of its course j and at this season of the year the stream, as might 

 have been anticipated, is small, but in the rains Captain Hannay 

 estimates that its breadth must be 300 yards from bank to bank, and it 

 is navigable throughout the year for large canoes. An island in the 

 centre of the bed was covered with the skeletons of large fish, which 

 had been destroyed by the poisonous quality of the fallen leaves of 

 overhanging trees : — the natives eat the fish so killed with impunity. 



After waiting several days at Meingkhwon, in anticipation of the 

 return of some messengers who had been sent into Assam, and suf- 

 fering extreme inconvenience from the difficulty of procuring adequate 

 supplies for the force, the Myo-wun began seriously to think of 

 returning to Mogaung. All expectation of prosecuting the journey into 

 Assam had been relinquished, and the Dupha Gaum having volunta- 

 rily come into the camp, was received by the Burman governor with 

 a civility and distinction, extorted by his apprehension of the numer- 

 ous Singphos ready to support their redoubtable chieftain, whose 

 influence is said to extend to the frontiers of China. On the first of 

 April the ceremony was performed of swearing in the different Tso- 

 buas (tributary chiefs) to keep the peace, which is thus described by 

 Captain Hannay. 



" The ceremony commenced by killing a buffaloe, which was effected 

 with several strokes of a mallet, and the flesh of the animal was cut 

 up to be cooked for the occasion. Each Tsobua then presented his 

 sword and spear to the spirits of the three brother Tsobuas of Mo- 

 gaung, who are supposed to accompany the governor of the above 

 named place, and to inhabit three small huts which are erected on 

 the edge of the camp. Offerings of rice, meat, &c. were made to these 

 ngats or spirits, and on this being done, each person concerned in taking 

 the oath received a small portion of rice in his hand ; and in a kneel- 

 ing posture, with his hands clasped above his head, heard the oaths 

 read both in the Shan and Burmese languages. After this, the paper 

 on which the oaths were written was burned to ashes, and mixed with 

 water, when a cup full of the mixture was given to each of the Tsobuas 



