ASAM AND THE NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES. 331 



very respectable Bar Gohayn of Asam could not give me better authority 

 than mere tradition for the additional circumstances of their finding 

 refuge in the Kalita country, and after intercourse with their friends in 

 Asam. 



On my arrival at Sadiya, I found that Captain Bedford had already 

 proceeded up both the Dihong and Dibong, as far as he was permitted by 

 the mountaineers, and I had great reason to fear that the same obstacles 

 which he had experienced, would also interfere with my progress ; but 

 being provided with abundance of cloth, salt, and various articles in 

 request amongst them, besides having the means of taking with me a 

 sufficient guard to insure personal safety, an advantage which Captain 

 Bedford wanted ; moreover, having letters addressed in the Asamese 

 language to the Abors, given me by the Junior Commissioner, and Miri 

 Interpreters, who were accustomed to intercourse with them, I did not 

 hesitate to make the trial. 



As Captain Bedford's journey of this river was anterior to mine, 

 so his account, extracts of which were published in the Government 

 Gazette of 2d February, deserves a preference, I shall therefore endeavour, 

 from these extracts, to convey the best idea I can of this most interesting 

 river. 



18th November. — On the first day after leaving the Brahmaputra, 

 Captain Bedford was struck with the placid and mild character of the 

 river, expecting as he did from all accounts of the utter impossibility 

 of navigating it, to find it abounding in rocks and with a violent current. 

 Sands were as frequent as in the Brahmaputra, and the jungle similar, 

 that is, grass covers the islands and grounds formed by alluvial deposits, 

 while the forests clothe the banks of older date : deer were numerous in 

 the grass jungles. 



