388 MEMOIR OF A SURVEY OF 



and little to my liking, as a surprise, if any mischief were intended us, could 

 scarcely have been guarded against. I found it necessary however to halt 

 here, as the people would not show us another place. 



I ordered the people next morning to prepare for marching, and when 

 ready, I was informed that Jingsha would not be ready to receive us till 

 the morrow, and that he particularly requested we would remain that day 

 also where we were. I sent to say that I intended to move nearer to him, 

 and intimated my wish, that if he had not yet finished the house which was 

 said to be building for us, he would order a place to be pointed out where we 

 might halt, in the vicinity of his dwelling. We set out and crossed the deep 

 ravine of the Danh rivulet, and passed more of the open ground already 

 described, but were soon met by Jingsha's people, who came in haste to 

 warn us not to approach nearer to the house, and shortly after w T e encoun- 

 tered other messengers, who told lis authoritatively to halt at once, or to 

 return. I selected a convenient open spot on the top of a round hill where 

 the jungle was twenty to thirty yards distant on every side, and there, in 

 accordance with their wishes, caused our huts to be built. We were now 

 told that the Chiefs of the next village could not consent to our advancing 

 till some of the influential men of the neighbourhood should be assembled, 

 to debate on so momeutous an affair as admitting strangers to pass 

 through their country, but they hoped that all would concur in a favorable 

 opinion. This appeared reasonable, and though very anxious to proceed, 

 I thought it better to allow time for a meeting of all the principal 

 men, when I could meet them, and clearly understand with whom I had 

 to treat. Amongst other arrivals at the village, that of Lamat Thao was 

 announced from a distance of two days journey, in a south-easterly direc- 

 tion. This Chief is in the habit of trading with the Khamti country on the 

 Irawadi, and being perfectly acquainted with the Sham or Khamti language, 

 I hoped much from the advantage of communicating so readily with him 

 through the Luri Gohain ; but as my people were afraid to go across to 



