1142 Report on a Route Jrom Pakung Yeh [No. 132. 



some of the tribe of Kicaams.* The distances on the road to-day were 

 marked off at every dine by small upright posts surrounded by a rail- 

 ing. I measured the distance between several, and found it amount to 

 two miles and five furlongs ; but this varies considerably, as a coss or 

 dine in the mountain districts was often under two miles, whilst in the 

 plains, it generally exceeded three. I rather suspect that the Burman 

 distances are calculated rather by the time it takes to traverse them, 

 than by any fixed rule ; at least I have constantly found it to be the 

 case, and in this instance particularly so. We halted at Kevensah near 

 the Mine river, a stream of considerable magnitude, and here we for the 

 last time saw the plains of Ava. Before us was wild jungle and forest, 

 and in the distance, we could but just distinguish the blue summits cf 

 the Arracan mountains. 



About two miles beyond Kevensah, after crossing the Mine river 

 several times, we reached the lowest range of hills connected with the 

 Koma Pokaung range, and commenced ascending. In a little valley 

 at their foot, a post was stuck in the ground, to denote to the pilgrims 

 and merchants who formerly frequented the road, that a chokey or a 

 watch-house existed there, whence they would derive protection against 

 the depredations of the robbers who infested the mountains. We had 

 now regained the high road to Aeng, and in several places could see 

 where it had been cut and levelled with no little trouble; it was in 

 capital repair, and at certain distances, were houses for the reception of 

 pilgrims going to worship at the Shoecotah Pagoda, t Many of these 

 houses ha<J.been burned by accidentally catching fire from the long 

 grass which had lately been in flames. The trees were scorched, and 

 deprived of their foliage ; and the whole appearance of these hills was 

 as dry and as arid as could be. The jungle was not thick, and con- 

 sisted principally of the male bamboo, and a few other stunted trees. 

 Several small ponds, one or two containing a little muddy water, and 

 the rest dry, were on the road-side, and near one of them the Burmahs 

 formerly erected a small breastwork, the traces of which are almost 

 quite obliterated. Emerging from the jungle on the summit of a steep 

 ghaut, we at a mile distant perceived the Shoecotah ; built on the peak 

 of a very high and steep hill. The Pagoda and its Kioums had a 



* So in MSS. f Shwezetlo. 



