1152 Report on a Route from Pakung Yeh [No. 132. 



than fifteen or twenty feet wide, and the declivity on each side ex- 

 ceedingly abrupt. Across this part of the road a small stockade had 

 been erected, which completely enfiladed the path for a considerable 

 distance. This work was called Keonkrias, and was supplied with 

 water from a stream at the bottom of the valley ; it may have contain- 

 ed about 100 men. 



Pushing on as rapidly as possible, we, after marching four miles 

 over a continued ascent, reached the fort on the highest point of the 

 mountains, and here the road, which for some distance had been as 

 good as could be wished, became very abrupt and much broken, the 

 rain having forced away great part of it. We had been marching 

 all day, and were it not for the refreshing shade thrown by the lofty 

 trees under which we passed, should have suffered much from the 

 heat, and want of water ; as it was, we were not a little fatigued when 

 we gained the summit of the mountains, and halted at a small stock- 

 ade called Nariengain. Our labours, however, were amply repaid 

 by the grand scene which opened on our view. Below in every 

 direction, rose immense mountains beautifully wooded from the sum- 

 mit down to the very base, and giving rise to the Mine river on 

 the East, and the Aeng river to the West, both of whose numerous 

 sources could be distinctly traced in the ravines falling from the 

 mountains. We were now exactly on our frontier line; on one side 

 lay the British territory, and on the other the dominions of the king 

 of Ava, and had it not been that the weather was hazy, I am inform- 

 ed the view would have comprised the sea, and the plains of the 

 Irrawaddy.* 



The little stockade of Nariengain is built on our line of demar- 

 cation, and in the event of future circumstances rendering it advis- 

 able to establish military posts on our frontier, would prove an ex- 

 cellent position, as it is the complete key of the Aeng road, and 

 commanding the ascent both from the Arracan and Ava sides, would 

 prevent the Burmahs availing themselves of many strong Passes, 

 where they might annoy and impede the advance of our troops.t 



* Chedooba, Ramree, and various other islands on the Arracan side are distinctly 

 visible from this point, and is also the Irrawaddy river for many miles of its course. 



f Every officer who has inspected this Pass, will testify to the correctness of this 

 statement. • 



