390 MEMOIR OF A SURVEY OF 



of the river. To the south, about four miles from us, just before it receives 

 the above named rivers, it winds round the base of Samleh hill. I made 

 Primsong and others point out the direction of its course from the Lama 

 country, and was informed by them that it runs from north-east to south- 

 west without any material bend, and that the course of the Taluka, through 

 the Lama country, is in the same direction. We could see that the gap to 

 the north-east extends uninterruptedly a considerable distance. The 

 mountains are covered with grass, and have on them large patches of fir 

 forest, extending sometimes in ravines from summit to base. 



The day passed away without our seeing any thing of the Chiefs, 

 and we had not the usual concourse of curious visitors : my people 

 also seeking trifles at some houses at no great distance, found them 

 empty, as if the inhabitants were under alarm. This strange beha- 

 viour of the Mishmis, so different to what I have hitherto experien- 

 ced, convinced me that a hostile feeling existed ; but I still fully 

 expected to see the Chiefs, who were said to be assembled and assem- 

 bling, and I did not doubt my ability to talk them into perfect good 

 humour. The next morning, however, seeing that another day was 

 wearing away without bringing any signs of their approach, I dispatched 

 Primsong to them, to request that they would pay me a visit, and under- 

 stand from myself what my purpose was. I instructed him to inform 

 them, that I had no wish to pass through their country without their con- 

 currence, but I particularly begged that they would come and confer openly 

 with me on the subject, and freely state their objections if they had any. 

 Primsong returned in great alarm at the rough reception he had met with : 

 though personally known to, and on previous good terms with them all, they 

 threatened him as the cause of our introduction. He reported, that there 

 were about two hundred men assembled at Jingsha's, all furnished with 

 arms, and holding a stormy debate, and he feared that the question 

 was already decided against us. Neither he nor any other of the party 



