410 MEMOIR OF A SURVEY OF 



the object was a trunk of a tree, at the distance of one hundred yards, 

 which they always shot very near to without hitting. Lieutenant Burlton 

 then indulged and astonished them by firing at a mark, placed at the 

 extreme distance to which their arrows would range. 



From that time to the present, we have had no communication of 

 importance with the Abors. Tass<tr, a Chief of a tribe, removed a few 

 miles more west, gave some hopes of preparing the way for us to a 

 certain distance, but he himself was of opinion that we should not 

 succeed in penetrating far enough for our purpose. However, had I been 

 able to remain at Sadlya, I should not have failed to make the attempt. 



I have always thought that, in the absence of ocular demonstration, 

 the most valuable information respecting the ultimate course of the 

 Sanpo, or rather the knowledge of the exact spot where it leaves Thibet, 

 whether about the ninety-fifth meridian of longitude, or beyond the 

 sources of the Brahmaputra, in the ninety-eighth degree, was most easily 

 to be obtained from the Lamas inhabiting the narrow valley, on the 

 banks of the latter river, who must know, beyond all doubt, whether 

 their territory is or is not separated from Thibet by a large river, and 

 must also be informed of the route of the Lassa Officers, who come down 

 to them yearly to receive a tribute. 



I have now to present the information derived from the Lamas by 

 Mtfiii, ftMishmi Chief of the Dibong, with whom I had long been acquainted 

 by name, as the most influential man of the Dibong mountains. He says, 

 Meship<j Lama told him that the Lamas call the Dihong, Lassa Chombo. 

 (Tsongbo, he also pronounced it) There are two branches, one from or 

 passing Lassa, and the other, the smaller of the two, rising near the heads 

 of the Brahmaputra. Below Lassa is a town called Kongbong,* and the 



* Conc-pou-y of the Map accompanying Dv Halde ? 



