steps up to that little square
room are explained. Probably those three chambers were the
apartments of the principal priests, and from them they could
either go out on to the roof of the temple; or could, by taking the
upper staircase to this point, leave or enter without observation.

"Now, let us be off."

On arriving at their tree shelter, they found that the Burman had
got a meal ready and, after partaking of this, Meinik, with the
man, started to buy provisions. It was fortunate that Stanley had,
before starting from Prome, drawn some twenty pounds' worth of
silver from the paymaster. He had expected to be away for three or
four weeks and, during that time, would have had to buy provisions
for himself, Harry, and the four troopers; and might possibly have
occasion for money for other matters. He had not paid the men from
the village, for he knew that one of these would willingly
accompany him to Prome, to receive payment for them all.

A very small amount of silver sufficed for the purchase of a
considerable quantity of food in Burma. Fruit, of which many kinds
grew wild in the woods, was extremely cheap; as was rice and grain.
Therefore as yet, with the exception of the small sum expended in
Toungoo, his money was virtually untouched.

The two Burmans made three journeys before nightfall and returned,
each time, with large baskets of fruit, grain, and rice. On the
following morning, they went into the town and bought six of the
largest sized water skins--such as are carried for the use of the
troops in India, one on each side of a bullock. As soon as they
returned with these, they started for the temple. At a stream about
a hundred yards from the entrance they partially filled one of the
skins and, placing a strong bamboo through the straps sewn on it
for the purpose, Meinik and the Burmans carried it to the temple
and, with Stanley's assistance, lifted it into the lower chamber.
The others were, one by one, placed beside it; then water was
carried in the smaller skins and poured in, until they were all as
full as they could hold.

"There is water enough to last us for a month, if needs be,"
Stanley said as, after securely tying up the mouths, they laid the
skins down, side by side.

The smaller mussucks were then filled and placed with the large
skins; and then, having done a long day's work, they returned to
their tree just as the sun was setting. The four men and two boys
were already there, they havi