TO THE COURT OF AVA. 
27 
himself. When the parties appeared in the 
field, the Talain said to his antagonist: 44 1 fear 
you are going to practise some artifice. Some 
of your friends are lying in ambush behind 
you, and I see them there.” The giant turned 
round to look, and the wily Talain took that 
opportunity to cut his head off. This story 
and the other, which we did not so well un¬ 
derstand, were narrated with a very serious air. 
It was an object of the greatest solicitude 
with the Wungyi, to detain the Mission at 
Henzada, and prevent its proceeding to the 
Court, which had from the first shown much 
reluctance to admit the residence of a per¬ 
manent diplomatic agent, and especially to the 
military guard of fifty men, by which such 
agent in the terms of the treaty, was to be 
accompanied. With this view, he expatiated 
upon the extent of his own authority,—telling 
us that it extended from the city of Pugan to 
the sea ; and that he was a Wungyi, or Coun¬ 
sellor of State,—Myowun, or Governor, of 
Pegu, a Generalissimo, and a Commissioner.* 
He said that he was authorised to treat with 
us upon any subject whatsoever, even to the 
conclusion of the commercial convention, pro¬ 
vided for in the treaty of peace, and 44 what 
* Literally, bearer of the " great burthen.” 
