that territory, where as it was
alleged they were protected by British power. The Burman monarch
determined to chastise the English by making war on their government,
and had raised thirty thousand troops under the command of his greatest
warrior Bandula; but the East India Company anticipated his movements,
and landed their forces at Rangoon so suddenly and unexpectedly, that
the city fell into their hands with scarcely a show of resistance. This
was the first news that reached Ava of the commencement of hostilities.
It surprised the court there, but by no means alarmed them. Never having
come into collision with the English, and having the most extravagant
conceit of their own invincibility, they did not for a moment doubt
their power to drive the invaders from their country; and even sent by
one of their generals a pair of golden fetters with which to chain the
governor-general, and bring him captive to Ava.

The first effect of the intelligence of the war upon the situation of
the missionaries, was an order that no man wearing a hat should enter
the palace. This was somewhat startling, still nothing of importance
occurred for several weeks, during which Mrs. J. continued her school,
while her husband went on building a house. But at length suspicion
having been excited that the Englishmen who resided in Ava were spies,
they were seized and put in confinement. Dr. Price and Mr. Judson were
strictly examined also, but nothing being proved against them, they were
left at liberty. They might probably have escaped further molestation,
had it not been found in examining the accounts of one of the
Englishmen, that he had paid over considerable money to the
missionaries. Ignorant of money transactions as carried on by
foreigners, this was an evidence to the natives, that the teachers were
in the pay of the British, and probably spies. This being represented to
the king, he gave an angry order for their arrest.

On the 8th of June, Mr. Judson's house was rudely entered by an officer,
followed by eight or ten men, one of whom, by the hideous tattooing on
his face, they knew to be the executioner, or 'son of the prison.' On
seeing Mr. Judson--"You are called by the king," said the officer, the
usual form of arrest. In an instant the spotted-faced man threw him on
the floor, and drew forth that instrument of torture, the small cord.
Mrs. Judson tried in vain to bribe him with money. "Take her too," said
the officer, "she also