it was on the third day that we arrived below the town of
Naputah, which was defended by a very formidable stockade, commanding
the whole reach of the river. The stockade was manned, and we expected
that it would be defended, but as we did not fire, neither did they; and
we should have passed it quietly, had not S-- grumbled so much at his
bad luck. The next day we arrived at Bassein, one of the principal
towns in the Burman Empire. Here again the Major was disappointed, for
it appeared that, on hearing of the arrival of the expedition at the
entrance of the river, the people had divided into two parties, one for
resistance, the other for submission. This difference of opinion had
ended in their setting fire to the town and immense magazines of grain,
dismantling the stockades, and the major part of the inhabitants flying
into the country. The consequence was, that we took possession of the
smoking ruins without opposition.

It was soon observed that the people were tired of the protracted war,
and of the desolation occasioned by it. They wanted to return to their
wives and families, who were starving. But up to this time the chiefs
had remained faithful to Bundoola, who had amassed stores and provisions
at Bassein, intending to retreat upon it, should he be driven out of the
fortress of Donabue; and as long as he held that fortress, receiving
from Bassein his supplies of men and of provisions. The Burmahs were so
unwilling to fight any longer, that they were collected by armed bands,
and made prisoners by the chiefs, who sent them up as required; and many
hundreds were still in this way detained, enclosed in stockaded ground,
and watched by armed men, in several towns along the river. An
expedition was first despatched up the river, to its junction with the
Irrawaddy, as there was a town there in which was the dockyard of the
Burmahs, all their war boats, and _canoes_ of every description being
_built_ at that place. They ascended without difficulty, and, after a
little skirmishing, took possession of the place, burnt all the boats
built or building, and then returned to Bassein.

Of course, we had then nothing to do: Major S--'s orders were to join
Sir A Campbell, if he possibly could; which, with much difficulty, he
ultimately effected. We must now return to the Irrawaddy expedition
sent up at the same time that Sir A Campbell marched by land, and our
expedition went up the Bassein river.

This force ar