the two princes, the Nyaung-Oke and the Nyaung-Yan,
who were with the British Government, were coming
up, and we were to have one of them for king. As
to Minhla, they fought there because the Bo Cha was
there, a brave man in command,; a brave man, your
honour.”
Below the fort, by the side of the pathway, there is
a ««¿-house sacred to Thagya-Thamee, a little lady like
a doll who lives within. The house is like a dovecot,
and a shed is built over it to give protection from the
weather. She is a benevolent creature, and people come
here to worship, because, as the Headman observes, it
has been the custom tor generations to do so. Orchards
of mangoes, limes, and custard-apples surround the
village, and a few small boats are tethered by the river’s
edge. The receding waters leave rich meadows under
the cliffs, and upon these and on the grassy slopes under
the fort the red cattle find ample pasturage. It is a
serene and beautiful spot, not meant for war.
CH A P T E R XVI
T H E R I V E R I N A C T IO N
IN its flood season the river is subject to sudden
gusts of passion. The current above Minhla runs
with great violence, and when the river is up, the
traveller in a country boat or a small launchers like to
have strange experiences.
After leaving Minhla in a small launch, I came to
anchor one night under the village of My ingun. Overhead
a few pale stars were faintly visible ; a wind on the
lee shore made a lapping like that of the sea ; the dark
river swirled by, laden with driftwood brought by the
heavy rain ; and the passing derelicts ground against
the sides of the launch with sinister music. All night
long the river swept down with its derelicts, its level
rising with each hour; and every time I looked out
into the dark I could see them coming like raiders of
the night. At last there came a ship from the vastness
upon us. A lascar in a startled voice called out :
“ Allah 1 A ship goes by. Whose can it be ? ”
The Serang sleepily murmured: “ No ship, but a
tree let loose.”