ir A. Campbell.

Among the garrison there was much disappointment when the sound of
wood chopping announced that the Burmese did not intend to attack;
but the general, who had been watching the edge of the jungle
through his glasses, lowered them and put them into their case with
an expression of satisfaction.

"I don't want them to attack, Colonel," he said. "If they do, and
we beat them off, we are no nearer the end than before. That sort
of thing might be carried on for months; as long, in fact, as there
remains a man to bring up. What we want is to inflict such a heavy
blow upon them, that even the court at Ava may become convinced
that they cannot hope to drive us out of Rangoon; in which case
they may consent to negotiate, and we may bring the war to an end.

"Heaven knows that we have suffered enough loss, at present; and I
don't want to have to undertake such a difficult operation as an
advance against Ava. I am glad to see that they have begun to
construct stockades. I do not intend to interfere until they have
completely finished their work, and gained sufficient confidence to
make a general attack on us. Then we shall be able to give them a
heavy lesson.

"Ah, there they are, at work!"

As he spoke, a roar of musketry and artillery broke out suddenly
from Kemmendine, and all eyes were turned in that direction. The
spot was two miles distant, but the forest shut out, alike, the
view of the river and of the works held by us. The exact position,
however, was indicated by the masts of the two war vessels, rising
above the trees.

Soon great wreaths of heavy white smoke rose above the forest, in
and around Kemmendine, shutting out all view. The fire continued
without abatement, and it was evident that the attack was a hot and
determined one. Confident as all felt that the little fort would be
able to defend itself successfully, the great smoke clouds were
watched with some feeling of anxiety; for the garrison was, after
all, but a handful. In momentary intervals of the firing, the yells
and shouts of the natives could be distinctly heard and, once or
twice, after a heavy broadside from the ships of war, the cheers of
the British sailors could be plainly recognized.

After two hours' fighting the din gradually ceased. The clouds of
smoke rolled away, and the masts of the ships became visible, and
the garrison of the pagoda raised three hearty cheers, to tell the
defenders that their successful defence had