ASAM AND THE NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES. 375 



The morning after the feast, a number of visitors still remained, 

 curious to see what I should produce as presents, and anxious themselves 

 to share, though without pretensions. It had been at first intended that we 

 should depend on Krisong, the elder brother of the three Tain Chiefs, 

 for arrangements in furtherance of my scheme. He is esteemed as being 

 the more martial and decided character, and his influence in his own tribe, 

 and with the Mizhus also, is consequently greater ; but he was absent with 

 a party of men, to assist the Chibong Gam against an incursion of the 

 Dibong Mishmis, at the village of the former, distant two days journey in 

 a northerly direction. Had this man been present, and had he entered into 

 our views, success would, have been more probable, from the operation of 

 fear with the Mizhus. 



In his absence, it only remained to engage the services of his brothers, 

 Ghal<jm and Khosha. I presented them with jackets of scarlet broad 

 cloth, large silver ear-rings, and red handkerchiefs, with a few other tri- 

 fles, and did not omit to send to Krisong's house a similar present, 

 though of less value. Immediately after the distribution, I observed a 

 number of the visitors quit the house with a rather discontented air. 

 Those who had received gifts were long busy in admiring them, and while 

 discussing their merits, I perceived great deference was paid to the judg- 

 ment of Ruding, a Chief of the Mizhu tribe, whose intercourse with 

 the Lamas is frequent, and who laid down the law on this occasion with all 

 the dignity and authority becoming so experienced and enlightened a 

 traveller. 



The Mishmis differ with the other hill tribes in their habit of traffick- 

 ing — every man among them is a petty merchant. They did not seem to 

 comprehend why I should be unwilling to part with any of my stores for 

 an equivalent, and I was amused at their exhibition of cunning in attempt- 

 ing to draw me into making a bargain. 



