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plane-tabling; difficulties with Munipur troops |
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We packed every[thing] in a reduced way & intended first to leave some of the things at Sikhamah with some of the calashies & 2 or 3 coolies who were sick as we believed the Munipur Guard with Col Thompson was going to remain with his baggage. However when they found we were making these arrangements they said they were going on to the Major who had also sent to say he was not coming but was off for Munipur. We then changed our route via Migwemah on the Munipur side back to Kezahkenomah & took everything with us getting extra coolies in lieu of those supplied to Col Thompson for the few things he retained with him as Kezahkenomah will be far the best place to leave our extra traps in & it is impossible to say what tricks the Munipuris would be up to as soon as our backs are turned. In a short time Sikhamah supplied coolies & we started. We all went via Tellizo where Mr Ogle & myself observed some more angles & he did some Plane Tabling. The men of Kezahkenomah met us on the road, coming to see whether we were returning or not for we had told them on leaving we were going to. They were all armed & had their scouts out, 4 on each commanding hill. It was a pretty sight their long line winding through the brown grass - this is now being burnt in every direction & gives a curious look against the rest of the scene where the hills are black. The Kezamah men have put up a mark on Kopamedza Peak but the beggars have set it on the long Western slope not on the very top. Thompson is therefore now in our camp deserted by the Major & his Guard & coolies & we shall have to take him into Munipur. And this because he did not choose to follow their wishes & place himself in their hands. It was very necessary he should make himself acquainted with the run of the boundary & this they of course do not desire & still less do they wish us to see ourselves the ground their force is reported to be now in. I do not suppose any representative of the Viceroy has ever been placed in such a position & how Munipur can dare to do it is unaccountable, but Govt have made so much of this little upstart state it has fairly put "air into their heads". Butler I am sorry got an attack of fever in afternoon when on Tellizo. |
