g human foes, their courage returned, and there was a rush
of men up the pile of stones to the entrance; but in vain they
tried to force their way into the chamber. Those in front fell
pierced by the spears and, while the defenders could see their
figures against the light, the assailants, coming out from the
sunshine, could see nothing in the chamber, which was now darkened
by their filling up the entrance. Not once was it necessary for
Stanley to strike. The Burmans' spears did their work thoroughly
and, in two or three minutes, the entrance was nigh choked up with
dead bodies, adding to the difficulty of the assailants.

Pressed on by those behind, the foremost fell over these obstacles,
and were instantly pierced by the spears; until it was no longer
possible to get through the outer entrance, much less make their
way into the chamber. Again and again the attack was repeated and,
as often, repulsed. Before advancing the Burmese, each time,
endeavoured to clear the passage by drawing out the bodies of their
comrades; but the two guards now posted themselves in front, and
shot man after man who made the attempt. At last the Burmese drew
off, but not till some fifty or sixty had been killed.

The governor was seen gesticulating furiously to a party of
officers and, presently, a final attack was made, led by several
officers of rank. This was as unsuccessful as the others. The
bodies, indeed, of the killed now forming a well-nigh impassable
barrier and, after several of the officers and many of the bravest
men had fallen, the remainder withdrew suddenly. The governor
appeared to recognize that the task was an impossible one; and two
or three hundred men were at once set to work felling trees and, by
nightfall, a high stockade had been erected round the open ground
in front of the temple.

"They are going to try to starve us out," Stanley said. "There is
no more chance of fighting, tonight."

As soon as the stockade was finished, musketeers took their place
behind it and opened a dropping fire at the entrance, while the
woodcutters continued to fell trees.

"We must get rid of these dead bodies, if we can," Stanley said,
"or the place will be uninhabitable, in a day or two.

"Get those two bamboos we had for the litter, Meinik. We will push
the bodies out, one by one, beginning with those on the top of the
heap. We can keep down behind the shelter of the pile, till we have
got most of them out. After that, we mus