A Burmese wonderland; a tale of travel in Lower and ... - Khamkoo

162 A BURMESE WONDERLAND.
As we waited here on the bank a man landed from
a sampan, and immediately fell among thieves. The
robber was a strong, handsome, humorous Burman,
who seized half the goods that the traveller had gone to
purchase. A long struggle ensued with furious protests
on one side, and increasing wit and laughter on the
other. Somehow we all sympathized with the funny
thief whose dacoity was effected with perfect good-will.
Though his jokes only incensed his victim, he Ufted
half his property in the nicest way imaginable ; the
trader losing our last grain of sympathy by his ungracious
acceptance of the other's thanks, and hie refusal
to allow him to help carry away what was left of the
goods.