stockades, with heavy batteries of guns. The commodore had sent on
shore to demand an apology of the viceroy, and, as it was supposed he
would at once give it, we had very little expectation of fighting.
However, in the evening, instead of an apology, came a message,
declaring that, if the British ships should attempt to pass the
stockades erected along the banks of the river, they would be fired on.
We had heard that a large number of troops, some said five thousand,
were collected within the fortifications; and each of the boats which
had been sent out reconnoitring brought word that, during the night and
day, they had seen no end of war-boats, full of men, coming down the
Pegu river, evidently to assist in the defence of the place.
Instructions were at once sent to the merchant-vessels to get under way,
and drop down out of the line of fire, while a steamer towed the
commodore's frigate within four hundred yards of the stockade. Here she
anchored to protect the merchant-vessels as they dropped down.

"We had heard, meantime, of a large Burmese war-vessel, of which one of
our steamers was sent in search, while the company's steamers proceeded
up the river to meet a fleet of war-boats, pouring in a tremendous fire
on the stockades on their way. The war-boats, in spite of their gay
flags, and the row their crews kicked up to frighten us barbarians, were
speedily sunk or sent to the right-about; while the batteries on shore,
having soon had enough of it, ceased firing. In a short time we saw our
steamer, the _Hermes_, come puffing up, with the huge Burmese
war-vessel, which she had captured, in tow. After this we did nothing
for some time, except blockading the mouths of the river, completely
putting a stop to the enemy's trade. It was thought by this that the
King of Ava would knock under, but he held out, till at length Admiral
Austin arrived in the _Rattler_, and some days afterwards General
Godwin, as commander-in-chief, with twelve of the company's steamers,
which had nearly six thousand troops on board.

"Our first work was to take Martaban. The steamers, running close into
the city, discharged broadside after broadside, our fire being returned
with considerable spirit; but the enemy's guns being silenced, the
troops were landed, and the Burmese, not liking the glitter of their
bayonets, took to their heels in all directions, we having completely
knocked to pieces all their defences. Leaving a garrison at M