1839.] the Naga territories of Assam. 459 



have then punished them for their intrusion at such unseasonable 

 hours. 



They remained in the neighbourhood all night, but deeming it 

 waste of powder and shot firing at sounds, I directed the sentries to 

 adopt a rather primitive mode of letting them know of our watch- 

 fulness, and that was, to pelt stones into the jungle when they heard 

 any thing in it, and only to fire when they saw their enemy ; this 

 order had a very good effect, for the enemy remained at a distance all 

 night, and retired before day-break. Whilst at this place the chief of 

 Gopelo, a larger village than Beren, came to pay his respects in order 

 to prove that he was friendly ; the chiefs of Moolookee, Jalooka, Ba- 

 laka also came. The jealousy existing amongst the different villages 

 is very great, and after the Beren people had built our huts, they 

 said — " There's such a village has done nothing, make them build 

 the railing." On the 26th the brother of Impuisjee, one of the two 

 greatest chiefs of the Angamees, came to the village of Beren, but 

 would not come down to the camp until I had sent Ram Doss Mohurir 

 accompanied by a Naick and five Shans and the interpreter to assure 

 him on oath of his safety, and to receive his oath of amity in return. 

 On seeing the party approach however he ran off into the jungles, not- 

 withstanding the chiefs of Beren and Rassan were with them, and 

 assured him that nothing would be done to him. The Shans were 

 then left behind, and Ram Doss went out to meet him, but he objected 

 to the sword and shield the Mohurir had with him ; these being left 

 behind he came close, and the oath was taken in the following man- 

 ner — A chicken was produced, the head of which the Mohurir held, and 

 the Angamee the body ; they both pulled till they severed it in two, 

 which was to signify, that if either was treacherous his head would be 

 divided from his body in the same manner. They then held a piece 

 of a spear at the ferule end, which was cut in two, and each retained 

 the bit in his hand;— this is one of the most sacred oaths amongst these 

 wild men. The chief then came down to the camp, and I assured him 

 that his brother need have no fear for his life, if he would come in, 

 and swear not to molest the Honorable Company's subjects any more. 

 He agreed to every thing proposed, and volunteered on condition of 

 their lives being spared, to pay a tribute of ivory, slaves, &c. He said 

 his brother had gone to fetch the articles referred to. I showed him a 

 watch and a telescope, and told him I could see every thing he did 

 in any villages, and after frightening him by firing at a pumpkin, I gave 

 him some presents and dismissed him. I waited till the 1st March 

 for his brother's coming, as also for grain from Semker, but neither 

 arriving, I got coolies from Beren and started for Balaka, a vil- 



