y would chop off my head,
if they knew that I had been down to Rangoon when the English were
there."

Chapter 12: Harry Carried Off.

Early in September, Stanley was sent to purchase cattle from some
of the villages near the foot of the hills and, at the same time,
to make inquiries as to the movements of a large band of marauders
who had been making raids in that neighbourhood. He had with him
four troopers of the bodyguard. Harry Brooke accompanied him.
Although from the healthier situation of Prome, the amount of
illness during the wet season did not approach that which had been
suffered at Rangoon, a great many men were in hospital, and there
were many deaths. Harry had had a sharp attack of fever and, as he
had now recovered, to a certain extent, the medical officer of his
regiment strongly recommended that he should have a change; and he
therefore, without difficulty, obtained his colonel's leave to
accompany Stanley, as the ground would be much higher than that on
the river, and the mere fact of getting away from a camp where so
many deaths took place every day would, in itself, be of great
value.

Stanley's daily journeys were not likely to be long ones, as he had
instructions to stop at all villages; and to see how things were
going on, and whether the people had any complaints to make of
oppression and exaction by their local authorities.

"It is a tremendous pull, your being able to speak the language,
Stanley," Harry said. "If it hadn't been for that, you would have
been stuck at Prome, like the rest of us. Instead of that, you are
always about; and you look as fresh and healthy as if you were at a
hill station, in India."

"Yes, it has been an immense advantage to me, in all ways. Of
course, I should never have got my staff appointment if it had not
been for that.

"By the way, I have not told you that, while you were down with the
fever, the gazette containing the confirmation of my appointment by
the general, and the notice of my commission, dated on the day of
my appointment, came out. I had quite a lump sum to draw for
although, I have been paid as interpreter all along, the paymaster
made a difficulty about my pay as a subaltern, until I was gazetted
regularly; so I have quite a large sum coming to me, on my pay and
allowances. I don't know how you stand for cash but, if you are
short at all, I can let you have anything that you want."

"I have got really more than I know what to do wi