elf to leave the service; but it is the probability of
being kept, for three or four years at a time, doing nothing at
Calcutta or Madras that decided me."

The general nodded.

"You are quite right, Brooke; on active service a soldier's life
is, indeed, a stirring one; but there is nothing more dull and
monotonous than garrison life, in peace time."

Accordingly, as soon as they landed in Calcutta, Stanley was put in
orders for absence on leave, for three months. He learned, from his
uncle's agent, that they had heard from him only a few days before,
at Chittagong; and that he was then on the point of leaving for
Aracan, whither he had ordered a large consignment of goods to be
forwarded to him, by the next ship.

Three days later, Stanley started to join him, leaving his address
at Aracan with Sir Archibald Campbell, in case there should be need
to recall him before the three months' leave expired. The vessel in
which he was sailing carried the consignment of goods to his uncle;
and he had, therefore, no fear of finding that the latter had left
Aracan before his arrival. Meinik was still with him. He had left
the army after the last battle had been fought, and had travelled
to the spot where he had buried his money before embarking with
Stanley in the canoe and, after an absence of three days, rejoined
the force. On the way down to Rangoon, Stanley had a long talk with
him as to his future plans.

"I have only one plan, master, and that is to stay with you, as
long as I live."

"But you will have plenty to live comfortably upon now, Meinik.
For, after all that you have done for me, of course I shall arrange
for you to have a sum that will keep you in comfort."

Meinik shook his head.

"Burma is a bad country, master. After living with the English, I
would not go back to live under the king's officers, in any case.
Any money that I had would be squeezed out of me, before long. No,
master, I will go with you, unless you drive me from you; if you
do, I will go to Chittagong, and live there, but I do not think
that you will do that."

"Certainly not, Meinik. As long as you are willing to remain with
me, I shall be very glad, indeed, to have you; but if, at any time,
you wish to marry and settle down on land of your own, I shall give
you five hundred pounds--which is only a small portion of the sum
those rubies, which you got your band to give me, brought me in."

"I daresay I shall marry," Meinik said, "but