y; and the garrison, discouraged
and shaken by the reports of the fugitives from the lower fort, had
fled as soon as the British arrived at the top of the steps.

Notwithstanding this and other, as successful, attacks upon their
stockades, the Burmese troops now felt confident that, with their
numerous forces, they would be victorious whenever the astrologers
decided that the favourable moment had arrived.

Meinik had ascertained, from the villagers, the name of the leader
and the locality to which the corps belonged that was posted
nearest to Rangoon. As soon as it was dark, he and Stanley entered
the forest. The smoke had served as a guide, to them, as to the
position of the different corps; and they were able to make their
way between these without being questioned. Presently, however,
they came upon a strong picket.

"Where are you going?" the officer in command asked.

"To join the corps of the Woondock Snodee," Meinik replied. "We
were away at Bhanno when the order came, and the rest had gone down
the river before we got to Mew; so we came on by ourselves, not
wishing to fail in our duty."

"You are just in time," the officer said. "The Woondock is a
quarter of a mile away, on the left."

They moved off in that direction; but soon left the track and,
avoiding the camp, kept away until they reached the edge of the
forest. Then they crept forward through the jungle and brushwood,
pausing to listen from time to time and, three times, changing
their course to avoid parties of the Burmese acting as outposts.

On issuing from the jungle they crawled forward for three or four
hundred yards, so as to be beyond musket shot of the outposts; and
then remained quiet until morning broke. Then they could perceive
red coats moving about, in a small village before which a
breastwork had been thrown up, some four hundred yards away from
them and, getting up to their feet, ran towards it. Several shots
were fired at them, from the jungle behind; and some soldiers at
once appeared at the breastwork. Supposing that the two figures
approaching were Burmese deserters, they did not fire; and Stanley
and his companion were soon among them.

They were soldiers of one of the Bengal regiments; and Stanley, to
their surprise, addressed them in their own language.

"I am an Englishman," he said. "I am one of the prisoners whom they
took, at Ramoo, and have escaped from their hands. Are there any of
your officers in the village?"