ed
out to dislodge Maha Nemiow; whose division threatened to turn the
British right, and to move round to its rear. The force was divided
into three columns; one moving directly towards the enemy's
position, the others--marching by circuitous routes, so arranged as
to arrive at the point of attack at the same time--were to attack
in flank and rear, while the main body assailed the enemy in front.
The Burmese had, however, obtained information from spies of the
intended movement and, advancing boldly, met the British columns
half way; skirmishing with them hotly in the woods, and threatening
an attack by large bodies of horse.

The centre drove the Burmese before them, and reached their
stockaded position. Colonel M'Dowall, while reconnoitring it, was
killed by a ball from a musket and, as the two flanking columns did
not arrive as expected, the force was compelled to fall back. The
retreat was conducted in good order, but the loss was heavy, as the
Burmese pressed hotly upon them for several miles.

Since this unfortunate affair, the enemy had steadily advanced.
Maha Nemiow had moved directly upon Prome; advancing slowly, and
constantly stockading himself. The centre had also advanced; and
was now fortifying some heights above the river five miles away,
within sight of Prome. Sudda Woon was intrenching himself on the
opposite bank. All these divisions were working, day and night;
advancing steadily but slowly, and erecting formidable lines of
intrenchments as they went; and it seemed to be the intention of
the Burmese general to proceed in that manner, until the whole of
his troops were gathered within a very short distance of the town,
and then to rush upon it from all sides.

In the morning, Stanley went to the lines of the 47th. Harry had,
of course, told his story on his arrival; and the tale had
circulated generally through the regiment and, as he rode in, the
men ran out from their huts and cheered him heartily. No less warm
a greeting did he receive from the officers, in spite of his
protest that there had really been no great difficulty or danger in
the affair.

"What I specially admire," one of the officers said, laughing, "is
that any man should have run all this risk, on purpose, to prevent
himself from coming into an earldom. You had only to leave the
matter alone, and there you were--heir to title and estates."

"I should have been haunted by Harry's ghost," Stanley laughed. "It
would have been as b