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Plans to confront hostile village of Pangsha over slave-trading; crossbows and poisoned arrows |
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I took an escort and visited Yimpang yesterday, one of the villages which had given trouble about slaves. It has definitely made peace and has tried to make amends, so I did not punish them beyond confiscating the heads they got by treacherous means. I hope this will have some effect on Pangsha, who have also given up their slaves, and with whom I have no desire to quarrel. But I am afraid it won't. |
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They have challenged us to go and see them and I must do so. If I let them think we are afraid they will raid again and capture more wretched little children. We start at 6.30 tomorrow and camp for the night at Noklak. |
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Whether Noklak will fight or not we don't know. Pangsha will certainly do so, I am afraid. Their weapon is crossbows with a range of 200 to 250 yards, and poisoned arrows. There's no doubt of the risk. It is about the nastiest job I have ever had to tackle. If you hear nothing before you get this letter you will know I am all right, for I shall be in friendly territory long before you get it. The effect of the local poison is pleasingly instantaneous. |
