438 MEMOIR OF A SURVEY OF 



beads. Their petticoats accord better with our notions of female delicacy 

 than the odd dress of JBurman ladies. 



According to previous engagement, we paid a visit to the warrior 

 Raja, who resides at Pkankai, nearly three miles from MancM. The 

 road was over a perfect plain, partially cultivated, and prettily studded 

 with clumps of trees and bamboos. The country is not unlike Rewa, 

 excepting that it is not varied with similar undulations. It is intersected 

 by a number of little rivulets. Phankai is also strongly stockaded, and 

 an interior palisade surrounds the Raja's house. A separate dwelling 

 had been prepared for our reception, but either through ignorance or 

 want of politeness, the Raja kept us waiting full half an hour ; and when 

 he did come upon a hint that we were growing tired, he seemed to consider 

 himself quite at home, wearing a very shabby dress, and observing 

 none of that ceremony which had been remarkable in his visit to us. No 

 conversation passed of either moment or interest, for he exhibited uneasi- 

 ness with us, when questions were put, even of the most simple nature. 

 We were anxious to make arrangements for a visit to the Irawadi, 

 which we could not well contrive at Blanche on account of the enemy's 

 strong hold — -Mung Khamti being in the way. They met our proposition as 

 usual, with a long list of difficulties and dangers, and would by no means 

 consent that Lieutenant Burlton and I should mount their ponies, and 

 trust to our own good management for encountering the enemy without 

 hostilites resulting. They objected to every thing, but going in posse by 

 the nearest route, with drums beating and colors flying, and indeed they 

 played their part very well, to get our aid in a brawl with the opposite party. 

 When however they found us fixed to have a sight of the Irawadi, and to 

 avoid fighting where we had no quarrel, they consented to furnish ponies 

 and a guide that we might see the river higher up at a point sufficiently 

 removed from danger. A dinner of inferior cookery to that we had been 



