followers could understand Shan, their presence was more ornamental than useful.
From Kangai we marched sometimes close along the river's edge, sometimes at a distance from it. Here and there picturesque Shan villages were to be seen half hidden among clumps of giant bamboo and wide-spreading banyans. These latter trees were dotted about along the road, and provided pleasant spots at which to halt. At Lung-chang-kai, where we halted for the night, market was in full swing, the women of a variety of tribes, profusely ornamented with silver bracelets round arms and neck, mixing with the stately Shans, and producing a varied and animated scene. Here, as in most of the Shan villages through which I passed, I saw bottles of sweets from Glasgow conspicuous among the small stocks of foreign goods on sale at the stalls and booths. Thirty years earlier Gill had found Bryant & May's matches "sold at Manwyne for 25 cash a-box, though the price seems incredible." Bryant & May have, however, succumbed to Japanese competition, matches from which country may be bought anywhere
