en
anything like heavy firing begins, it will be your duty to find out
at once what is going on; and bring me word, as it may be necessary
to send up reinforcements.

"In the morning it will be your duty to examine any prisoners who
have been taken during the night, and also natives who have made
their way into the town; in order to ascertain whether any date has
been fixed for their next attack, and what forces are likely to
take part in it. You can make your man useful at this work.

"By the way, I will tell Colonel Adair to put him down on the list
of the quartermaster's native followers. He need not do anything
else but this. But it is likely that the natives will speak more
freely to him than they would to a white officer, and he may as
well be earning thirty rupees a month, and drawing rations, as
hanging about all day, doing nothing."

Thanking the general, Stanley took the plan and, going back to his
quarters, studied it attentively. He told Meinik of the arrangement
that had been made for him, with which the Burman was much pleased.
Thirty rupees a month seemed a large sum to him, and he was glad
that he should not be costing Stanley money for his food.

Three hours later one of his horses was brought round, and he
started on his ride through the camp. There were two roads leading
through the town to the great pagoda. Both were thickly bordered by
religious houses and pagodas--the latter, for the most part, being
in a state of dilapidation. Houses and pagodas alike had been
turned into quarters for the troops, and had been invaluable during
the wet season.

The terrace of the great pagoda was occupied by the 89th Regiment
and the Madras Artillery. This was the most advanced position, and
was the key of the defence. Leaving his horse in charge of his
syce, at the foot of the pagoda hill, Stanley went up to the
terrace and soon entered into conversation with some of the British
officers; who at once recognized him as having been, that morning,
put in orders as the general's aide-de-camp. As he was unknown to
everyone, and no ship had come in for some days, there was
naturally much curiosity felt as to who the stranger was who had
been appointed to a commission, and to the coveted post of
aide-de-camp, in one day.

After chatting for two or three minutes, they conducted Stanley to
the colonel's quarters, a small building at the foot of the pagoda.

"This is Mr. Brooke, Colonel, the gentleman who was gaze