and if he has the skill, escapes suspicion, and by lying
in wait along the faint footpaths of the jungle, discovers
the locality of the mine. After that it is hot-foot back
to his master, and a. swift return with success or not,
as may be, in the sequel. The illicit miner has his
own developed system of defence. He posts his sentries
on some crag or vantage-ground, to give him warning
of his antagonist’s approach. And occasionally he buys
up the spy who is sent to discover him. But your
inspector, in spite of his occupation, is a very human
fellow. Very glad to see you, very hospitable and
friendly. This one lives at Kyatpyin in a little house
by the highway, overgrown with wild roses, and happy
with its little garden of English flowers, in which his
children play.
( v i ) FA C ET S
It takes time to enter fully into the beauty of Mogok,
of the great mountains, the mining town in the little
valley, the grassy spaces, and the low swelling hills.
There is nothing quite like^them anywhere Else in
Burma, d he climate, even in the middle of May, the
culmination of the Burmese summer, ‘ is cool all day
long, and of an evening one is tempted- to stroll away
over the hills, in the happy fashion of a better land ;
all is so .green, the landscape so attractive, the blessed"
air so cool and fresh. About most of the bigger houses
English flowers blossom ; lilies: and roses, the honeysuckle,
the heart’s-ease, and the daisy. And even the
huts of the people are not without their flowers. Every
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THE POLO-GROUND