the glow of their camp fires amongst the feathery
plum-trees. Cattle, ponies, and silk, elephants and
gold, are brought here for sale, and from here the
fabrics of Manchester and Birmingham, brought so far
by steam, start on their long journey over the highlands
to the most distant markets of Shanland and Yunnan.
The concourse of many strangers brings with it its
customary penalty, and Pha-an, lifted above a world of
extraordinary beauty, has long been known as the haunt
of bad characters. Many of its people are Taungthus,
now fast merging in appearance and dress into the
Burmese type.
