ASAM AND THE NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES. 431 



mile or more in width, (to us an Eden !) and were delighted with the 

 appearance at the further end of a nest of comfortable houses. 



We were now met by two Khamtis of rank, who informed us that 

 they came from the Raja with instructions to receive us; this could not 

 be true, as the capital is a good day's journey distant; however, they, 

 with great politeness, procured us every thing that could be wished, and 

 professed anxiety to be made acquainted with our wants, in order to gratify 

 them. We were recommended by our kind friends to move the next day to 

 another village, at a small distance, where we could be furnished with a 

 better house; but on account of Lieutenant Burlton's ague fit, which was 

 very severe, and also on account of the fatigue of the whole party, we 

 were obliged to halt. Rain had annoyed us on the march yesterday, and 

 continued again all this day. The village is of twenty or thirty houses, 

 built of bamboo and mats on Machdns, and, contrary to the practice of 

 Asam, they are assembled near together, with only streets between them ; 

 the buffaloes, pigs, and poultry take shelter in the lower part. The Muluks 

 are a distinct tribe, and their language has no affinity with that 

 of any other neighbouring tribe. This appears very remarkable, as 

 their number is only reckoned at five hundred houses : in former times 

 they were an independent people, inhabiting the plains of Hupong, on 

 the Diking river, south of the Phungati pass. They declare that they 

 were plundered and dispersed by the Singfos, and that one-half were 

 carried off and made dependent on these marauders, while the other half 

 fled towards the Irawadi, and placed themselves under the protection of 

 the Khamtis. Their only produce is rice, marha, mustard plant (used as 

 a vegetable), and a bad species of onion. Their dress is the same as that 

 of the Khamtis, excepting that it is of ruder fashion, and of inferior cloth. 



We removed in the morning to Ndmbalc, another Miduk village, at 

 no great distance, situated on the Ndmbak rivulet, and fortified with a 



