"There is such a river as you speak of, above Sarawa.

We can paddle back tonight, and hide near the town; then I can go there in the morning, and buy a couple of spears and shields, and get some more rice and other things.

We have plenty of ammunition for our guns; which we may want, if we meet any wild beasts." "You don't think that there will be any danger in your going in there, Meinik?
Of course, there is no absolute occasion for us to have spears and shields, as we have guns." "We ought to have shields," Meinik replied, "and it were better to have spears too, and also for us to carry axes--everyone carries an axe in war time, for we always erect stockades and, though a very poor man may only have his knife, everyone who can afford it takes an axe.

Most people have such a thing, for it is wanted for cutting firewood, for clearing the ground, for building houses, and for many other things; and a Burman must be poor, indeed, who does not own one." "By all means, then, get them for us, Meinik; besides, we may find them useful for ourselves." They now lay down and slept until evening; and then started up the river again, keeping close in under shadow of the bank and, two hours before daylight, concealed the canoe as usual, at a spot two miles above Sarawa.

Meinik started at daybreak, and returned three hours later with two axes, spears, and shields.
That night they turned into the river running to the east and, for four nights, paddled up it.