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Sec. III, Ch. 3: Author's Connection with the Ruby Mines of Burma

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172                     The Ruby Mines of Burma.
They arrived in India in August ; and, after seeing Captain Patton at Simla, proceeded to Rangoon, and thence to Mandalay, where they were kindly received by Sir Charles Bernard, the Chief Commissioner, with whom they had a long conferance on the important subject of native rights at the Ruby mines.
Delayed by heavy rains and by sickness among the troops, the Ruby mines column did not make a start until November. In due course they reached Kyan-nyat, a township on the left bank of the Irrawaddy, which it was intended to use as a base. Here news reached the party that organised resistance was being prepared by the hill-tribes in the mining districts. The dacoits were also giving much trouble. As the expedi­tion advanced and approached the mountain pass which leads to Mogok, the piincipal seat of the Ruby mining, determined resistance was encountered and skirmishes ensued. One of the Ghoorkhas, who brought to my son the head of a dacoit, seemed much surprised that the sight of this trophy, the relic of an enemy just slain, should afford him no pleasure !
By this time the troops had reached an altitude of some 6,000 feet above sea level. The thermometer during the night registered six degrees below freezing point, and as no provision had been made for so low a temperature, great inconvenience and even hardship was felt. The gorge in the mountains had been carefully stockaded by the enemy, and the curiously shaped rocks were skilfully turned into positions of defence ; but as the troops approached, these posts were abandoned one after another, and progress was effected without much difficulty.
Mogok was ultimately reached on December 27th ; and, to the surprise of the expedition, was found to be
Sec. III, Ch. 3: Author's Connection with the Ruby Mines of Burma Page of 366 Sec. III, Ch. 3: Author's Connection with the Ruby Mines of Burma
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