702 An account of some of the Petty States [Nov. 



runs westward into the Salween and eastward into the Mein-loon-gyee. The 

 road to-day has been the worst we have travelled ; the hills very trying to the 

 elephants, and the stony banks of the streams to the horses' feet. Met two 

 poor little children recently purchased from the Red Kayens ; one for six bul- 

 locks ; and the other, a very interesting child, about 7 years of age, for 10. 

 " 6th. Direction W. Distance, 11 miles. 



" First part of the road over a steep hill ; remainder over low land covered 

 with grass, formerly cultivated. 



" 7th. Direction W. N. W. Distance, 15 miles. 



" First part of the road the same as the last of yesterday's, along low reedy 

 ground, following the course of an inconsiderable stream. At 8. 30 came to a 

 pass between two hills, which, in case of attack, is defended by the Kayens by 

 securing large stones with ratans and bamboo work on the tops of the hills ; — 

 the ratans are cut, and the stones roll down on the invaders. It is about one- 

 fifth of a mile in length. 



" 8th. Direction W. N. W. Distance, 12 miles. 



" The country more level, with some occasional clearings and a few houses. 

 The jungle to-day was unusually alive with pheasants, pea-fowl, partridges, &c. 

 " 9th. Direction W. Distance, 14 miles. 



" The country of the same character as yesterday. Halted on the banks of 

 the Salween about four hundred yards wide, running a rapid stream in a narrow 

 valley or ravine, except at the small plain where we are encamped, and another 

 on the opposite side on which stands the village of Banong 108 or Yougong, con- 

 sisting of about twenty-five houses, having the appearance of a common Burman 

 village. Met 20 or 30 bullocks to-day with stick-lac and eight slaves en route 

 to the Shan country, making in all fifteen since leaving Laboung. One family of 

 four were bought for ten bullocks, the father and mother and two children two 

 and three years of age. There are some others for sale at the village. In the even- 

 ing the son of Pha-bho, one of the chiefs of the Red Kayens, an exceedingly dirty, 

 stupid-looking lad of about 18 or 20, came over with a relation who is headman 

 of the village. They appeared to have some difficulty in making up their minds 

 who was the proper representative of the tribe. At last it was decided that Pha- 

 bong was too young and comes to Pha-bho to consult on state matters ; and 

 that as Pha-bho was the person who sent the message last year, it is deter- 

 mined I shall go to him. He resides three days' journey on the other side of 

 the river. There have been about fifty or sixty Kayens about my tent this after- 

 noon, (none of them appeared to come avowedly as the young gentleman's at- 

 tendants ;) they do not differ at all in personal appearance from the common 

 Kayens of the hills, except that they are perhaps less good-looking. Their 

 dress consists of a pair of short trowsers of generally red (particularly the 

 chief's), colored cotton of domestic manufacture, coming about halfway down 

 the thigh, and every one had either a piece of book muslin or an English cotton 

 handkerchief round his head. 



" 10th. Waited some time for the boats. At last the young lad of yesterday 

 crossed over, and on my interpreter complaining to him of the delay, he said 

 the Kayens were never in a hurry. He succeeded, however, in getting them at 

 12 o'clock, and every thing was crossed over that evening. We were in appre- 

 hension of a scarcity of provisions, as the old head-man of the village declined 



