dering remains of three or four victims,
who were thus crucified for, perhaps, no greater crime than that of
wandering from their posts in search of food, or of following the
examples of their chiefs in flying from the foe. The same horrors
presented themselves to the British for fifty miles up the river; and in
some places the soldiers could not find a place for their tents without
removing dead bodies. The pursuit was continued by forced marches; and
on arriving within five miles of Patanagoh, a town opposite to Melloone,
it was discovered that the whole of the enemy's force had crossed to the
Melloone side of the river, and occupied with some 12,000 men a series
of fortified heights, and a formidable stockade, having in front a rapid
stream six hundred yards broad. While the British force was preparing
to attack this formidable position, a flag of truce was sent in, with
a notice that a commissioner had arrived with full powers to conclude a
treaty of peace. This led to a discussion, but without effect; for
the Burmese leaders again betrayed a want of faith, and the new envoy
hazarded the most glaring falsehoods. Operations again commenced. The
British troops having been carried across the Irrawaddy, under the
protection of Captain Chads, an attack was made on the fortifications at
Melloone; their defenders were driven in utter confusion from the place:
and Memiaboo's treasures, to the amount of 30,000 rupees, with all his
stud, fell into our hands. The army again moved forward on the 25th
of January; and on the 31st it was met in its advance by Dr. Price, an
American missionary, and Mr. Sandford, an assistant surgeon of the army,
taken prisoners some months before, whom fear had induced the Burmese
monarch to restore to liberty, and despatch as messengers of peace. They
brought proposals for a short truce, which was readily granted; and
they returned in full confidence that they should be sent back to ratify
terms of peace. This hope, however, proved fallacious: by high bounties,
by grants of important privileges, and by the most earnest appeals,
40,000 men had been collected, and the Burmese monarch resolved to
continue the war. This new army was styled, Gong to doo, or, "Retrievers
of the king's glory;" and it was placed under the command of a
savage warrior, called Nee-Woon Breen, which has been variously
translated,--"Prince of Darkness," "King of Hell," and "Prince of the
Setting Sun." The certainty of another co