were solely adapted to the transport of merchandise. The stern, fancifully
ornamented, rises two or three stages above the deck, and is the seat of
the helmsman. The inside of the boat is filled with goods, and thatched
over, leaving sufficient room underneath to accommodate two or three
families--men, women, and children--who promiscuously take up their abode
there.

This description of boat is not propelled by oars, but by long poles, the
ends of which being placed against the shoulders of the boatmen, they run
the whole length of the boat, and push her forward with considerable
velocity. The space on which they act is formed by strong outriggers on
either side of the boat, which answer the twofold purpose of preventing her
upsetting, which she otherwise would do from the excess of top-weight, and
of increasing her width and accommodation.

The third class of boat is that used throughout the country, and which, to
those who inhabit the banks of rivers, becomes a necessary appendage, and
to many a home. It is a mere canoe, decked with split bamboo, and partly
covered in with mats, so as to afford shelter from the sun by day, and the
dews by night. One man steers, and two others either row or paddle; but,
when the wind is favourable, they use a sail. This is generally made at the
moment, with the scarfs they wear over their shoulders, tied together. Two
bamboos constitute the mast and yard, the sail being fastened between them;
yet, with this fragile rigging, and with the gunwale of the boat almost
under water with every puff of wind, they stem the most rapid currents at
all seasons of the year, and, such is their skill in steering, seldom meet
with an accident. It was in these boats that the majority of the
inhabitants of Rangoon, and the adjacent villages, fled upon our approach;
and these formed their only habitation during the many months they kept
aloof from us.