sloops and gunboats rowed up to meet the rafts
and, although a heavy fire was kept up by the enemy, from the
jungles lining the banks, they succeeded in towing most of them
safely to shore; while the rest grounded on a projecting spit, off
Kemmendine.

So diligently did the Burmese work at all points throughout the day
that, by the afternoon, their whole line of circumvallation was
covered with earthworks; behind which they lay, entirely hidden
from sight.

"If they could fight as well as they dig, and build stockades," Sir
A. Campbell remarked, "they would be one of the most formidable
enemies in the world. No European army ever accomplished the work
of entrenching themselves so speedily as they have done. Their
arrangements have been admirable. Everything has been done without
confusion, and each body has taken up the position allotted to it;
as is evident by the fact that there is no gap in their lines.

"As to Bandoola's tactics, I cannot say so much for them. In the
first place, he has divided his force into two parts, separated by
a river, and incapable of helping each other. In the next place,
great as are his numbers, his lines are far too extended.

"Well, we will let them go on for a time; and then show them the
mistake that they have committed."

Major Sale's reports of the entrenchments were that they consisted
of a long line of holes, each capable of containing two men. The
earth was dug out on one side so as to form a sort of cave. In this
was a bed of straw or brushwood, on which one man could sleep,
while the other watched. Each hole contained a sufficient supply of
rice, water, and even fuel for its inmates. One line of these holes
had been completed, and another was being dug a short distance in
advance.

The Burmese do not relieve their men in the trenches. Those who
occupy the line first made remain there. Fresh men dig and occupy
the next line, and so the advance is continued, until close to the
work to be attacked. The system has the great advantage that a
shell falling into one of these holes only kills its two occupants;
instead of destroying many, as it might do if it fell in a
continuous trench.

In the afternoon the general returned to Rangoon, leaving Stanley
at the pagoda, with orders to ride down should there be any change
of importance. In the evening a considerable force of Burmese
issued from the jungle, and prepared to entrench themselves near
the northeast angle of the pago