preparation had been made for an obstinate
defence. They learned, from a peasant, that strong works had been
erected on every eminence round the town; and that the road from
the coast had been cut, and stockaded.

Approach by this route was impossible, for there were twenty miles
of country to be traversed; and much of this was under water from
the inundations. It was, therefore, determined to go up the river,
although this was so shallow and full of shoals that the navigation
was extremely difficult. At last, after great labour--incurred by
the ships constantly getting ashore--they succeeded in making their
way up to Martaban, and anchored off the town.

A heavy cannonade was carried on, for some time, between the ships
and the enemy's works. Then the troops were embarked in boats,
which rowed for the shore under a very heavy fire from the enemy.
As soon as they landed, and advanced to attack the stockades, the
Burmese lost heart and hastily retreated; while the inhabitants
received the troops as they entered with the warmest welcome--for
they were, for the most part, natives of Pegu, and still
entertained a deep hatred for the Burmese, because of the long
oppression that they had suffered at their hands.

Throughout the rest of Tenasserim, however; and indeed, throughout
the whole country traversed by the troops later on, the inhabitants
appeared to have entirely forgotten their ancient nationality, and
the conquest of their country by the Burmans; and to have become
completely absorbed by them. Throughout the whole time that we
occupied Martaban, the people gave no trouble whatever and, indeed,
offered to raise a force for service with us, if we wished it.

At the end of October the rain ceased--to the intense delight of
the troops--and the cold season set in. November was, however, an
exceptionally deadly month--the occasional days of fine weather
drawing up the exhalations from the swamps--and the number of
deaths was greater than they had been at any previous time. There
was, too, no prospect of a forward movement, at present. The
expedition had come unprovided with boats or other means of
transport, making sure that an abundant supply would be obtained,
in a country where the whole trade was carried on by the rivers.
The promptness with which the native authorities had, on the first
appearance of the fleet, sent every boat away, had disappointed
this anticipation and, although the opening of some of the oth