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62
BIRMAH.
who are much better horse-
troopers are Cassayers,
men than the Birmans. Although the Birmans are
very fond of their muskets, the fire-arms are almost
useless, and certainly, in their present imperfect state,
are much less formidable than their national weapons,
the sabre and spear. But the most respectable part of
the Birman force is their war-boats (tee-lees}. Every
town is obliged to furnish a certain proportion of men
and one or more boats, according to its population,
and 500 of these vessels can in a short time be equipped.
They are constructed of the trunk of the teaktree.
The largest are from 80 to 100 feet long, but
the" breadth seldom exceeds eight feet. They carry
from fifty to sixty rowers, who use short oars that
work on a spindle. The prow is solid, and has a flat
surface, on which is mounted a piece of ordnance, a
six, nine, or even twelve-pounder, secured by strong
lashings on each side. Each rower has a sword and
lance ; and besides the boatmen, there are usually
thirty soldiers on board, armed with muskets. Thus
prepared, they sail in fleets, and draw up in line,
presenting their prows to the enemy. Their attack
is extremely impetuous ; they advance with great
rapidity, singing a war song, and generally endeavour
to grapple when the contest becomes very severe.
The rowers are practised to impel the vessel with the
stern foremost, by which means the artillery still
bears on their enemies. The largest of the war-boats
do not draw more than three feet of water. When
any person of rank is on board, there is a moving
canopy, but gilded boats are allowed only to maywoons,
whoongees (ministers of state), or the princes. These
war-boats, Colonel Francklin says, are the most re-
spectable part of the Birman force in a military point
of view ; but they live chiefly by rapine, and are in a