334 MEMOIR OF A SURVEY OF 



One of these, of a figured pattern, was made with sleeves ; it was said to 

 come from the country of the Bor Abors ; the texture was good, though 

 coarse, as was that of a red cloak worn by the Chief of the village. 



The Abors seem to have been in the habit of levying contributions on 

 their low-land and less martial neighbours of Asam, and to have resented 

 any irregularity in their payment, by predatory incursions, carrying off 

 the people prisoners ; several Asamese captives were found amongst the 

 Abors of Pasial; some of whom had been so long amongst them, as to 

 have become completely reconciled to their condition. 



Captain Bedford's account of his voyage up the Dibong, which fol- 

 lowed, is the only one we have of that river, and as it was also the next 

 excursion, in order of time, I continue the extracts from it, as published 

 in the Appendix to Wilson's History of the Burmese War. 



" On the 4th of December, Captain Bedford entered the mouth of the 

 Dibong ; the water was beautifully clear, running in a bottom of sand and 

 stones. On the 5th, a shallow, or bar, was crossed, above which the stream 

 was much obstructed by the trunks of trees brought down by the current. 

 The river continued deep, and although several rapids were encountered, 

 they were passed without much trouble; numerous traces of buffaloes, 

 deer, and leopards were observed, and also of elephants, which last had not 

 been seen along the Dihong, nor on one of its feeders, the Lalee. Amongst 

 the trees on the banks, were several, of which the wood is serviceable 

 in the construction of houses and boats, as the Sdu and Soleana. The 

 Demurii yields a bark which is eaten by the Asamese with pawn. 



On the 6th, at 11 a. m., the most formidable rapid that had been 

 met with, was passed with much difficulty; and on the following day a 

 shallow, extending across the river, over which the boats were forced. 



