| caption: |
climb up Suvennichikha mountain; request by Nagas to stay at Mozemah |
| note: |
inaccurate spelling in the original text |
| text: |
17th March, Sunday. Moved camp today to Mozemah a short march of between 3 and 4 miles along a capital bridle path leading through Terrace cultivation the greater part of the way. |
| text: |
After breakfast we ascended the Suvennichikha mountain, a steep crag which when seen from Khonomah bears a somewhat fantastical resemblance to a lion's head. The Nagas declare that on a fine day they can see Borpathor from this point, but there was unfortunately such a hazy mist hanging over the valley this morning we could barely make out the outlines of the Samaguting and Sike Kemah range. When once we had fairly got on to the top of the Suvennichikha mountain it was exceptionally pleasant walking along under the shade of lofty trees covered with moss, lichen and orchids, which with the brilliantly scarlet Rhododendrons, formed a remarkably good background to our wild escort of killer Nagas, but the walk up now was a precious stiff one. |
| text: |
On returning to camp, I found a deputation composed of the leading members of the several clans of Mozemah awaiting my arrival, who after presenting me with the inevitable pig and a small elephant's tusk, begged I would halt here tomorrow as they had something of very great importance to tell me, and as they reminded me of their promise (made 3 years ago) that I would stay a longer time with them on the next occasion I visited them, I thought it best to grant their request, though I rather fancy the subject of great "importance" will probably turn out to be an endeavour to obtain my aid to smash up some powerful neighbour of theirs in which case I very much fear we shall have to go through a vast amount of talkee talkee and all to no good purpose. |
