ter a moment's pause, he
said wrathfully:

"It is of little matter. The town was weak, and in no position for
defence; but a force will soon go down to sweep these barbarians
away. Now, get ready your war galley, as soon as possible."

Each village on the river was compelled, by law, to furnish a war
galley for the king's service whenever it might be required. These
carried from fifty to a hundred men, and some three hundred of
these boats were always available for service, and constituted one
of the strongest divisions of the fighting force of the Burman
empire. The village was a large one, and in half an hour the crew
of the galley were on board and, rowing forty oars, started up the
river.

"What think you of this news?" the officer said, beckoning to
Stanley to take his place in front of him. "These men must be mad,
to tempt the anger of the Lord of the Golden Stool, the mighty
Emperor. Had you heard aught of this?"

"I heard but a vague rumour that a fleet had been collected, but I
heard nothing for certain as to its destination."

"It is madness," the officer repeated. "We shall sweep them into
the sea. How many of them are there, do you think?"

"As to that I can say little, my lord. I only heard a report that
some ships and troops were to sail--some from Madras and some from
Calcutta--but of the number of the men and ships, I know nothing
for certain."

"They have taken evil council," the officer said, gravely. "I have
heard that they gained some slight advantage, in Cachar; but there
they had but irregular troops to meet, largely Assamese, who are
but poor cowards. This little success must have turned their heads.
They will now have our regular forces to deal with, and these will
number a hundred thousand--or twice as many, if necessary. Think
you that the handful that would be transported in ships can stand
against such a host?"

"There may be more than you think, my lord. Many of the ships will
be very big, much bigger than those that trade with Rangoon; and
some of them will carry as many as five hundred men."

"Even so," the officer said scornfully; "if there were twenty-five
such ships, or even fifty, the force would be as nothing to us.
They will have to take to their vessels, as soon as our army
approaches."

"It may be so, sir; but I think that they will scarce go without
fighting. I would represent to you that, although much fewer in
numbers than your army which attacked us, at Ramoo, th