183^.] the Mishmee hills in Assam. S29 



from the vengeance of the Meyhoos when you are gone, and who is to 

 insure us from a second invasion of the Lamas ? Another thing to be 

 considered is the influence even then exercised over the Mishmees 

 near our boundaries by the Singphos connected with the Dupha Gam ; 

 but from the renewal of the intercourse with our frontier station, 

 there is every reason for believing that this influence is ere this nearly 

 destroyed. 



I was, after various attempts, reluctantly obliged to give up the 

 affair, although I am by no means certain that, had I known of the de- 

 lay that would take place before I met Captain Hannay, a longer so- 

 journ in the hills would not have been attended with success. I returned 

 by the same route, halting at Deeling to enable me to ascend the great 

 mountain Thumathaya, on the top of which I passed one night, and the 

 ascent of which in every respect amply repaid me for all difficulties 

 incurred. On my return I visited Tapan Gam's* village, where I met 

 several Singphos, who were engaged in the late troubles on the side 

 of the Dupha, and which is reported to be the favorite haunts of 

 a famous Singpho dacoit, Chu'n Yu'ng ; thence I returned to Jingsha. 



Nature of the country. The country traversed during the above 

 journey consisted of a series of ascents and descents, as must always 

 evidently be the case where the route follows the course of a consi- 

 derable river ; for difficulty it cannot well be surpassed, this again 

 depending on the proximity of the route to the Lohit. The only 

 comparatively easy portion is that between Dai Pdnee and the place 

 where we descended to the bed of the large river. The hills are 

 invariably characterised by excessive steepness, and as the greater 

 portion of the route winds round these eminences at some height 

 above their bases, the marching is excessively fatiguing and difficult, 

 to say nothing of its danger. In very many places a false step would 

 be attended with fatal consequences ; in one place in particular, 

 upwards of an hour was consumed in traversing a sheer precipice at a 

 height of at least one hundred feet above the foaming bed of the Lohit ; 

 the only support being derived from the roots and stumps of trees 

 and shrubs, and the angular nature of the face of the rock, which is, 

 1 believe, grey carbonate of lime; 



Paths. The paths are of the very worst imaginable description, 

 always excessively narrow and overgrown by jungles in all directions. 

 In very steep places the descent is assisted by hanging canes, which 

 afford good support. No attempt is ever made at clearing them of 



* This chief is not worthy of any encouragement. He would feel this the more, owing 

 to the proximity of his village to our boundary and its easiness of access. 



