"They have laid their stones, and we shall have a rush, directly; but they will most likely pour in a volley, first." The pause lasted for a minute or two.

Then a drum was beaten, and a hundred muskets were fired.

A rain of bullets flew into the cave.
"Now," Stanley shouted, "form up." Illustration: In vain the Burmese tried to force their way into the chamber.
A wild yell was raised by the Burmese.

Now they knew that they were fighting human foes, their courage returned, and there was a rush of men up the pile of stones to the entrance; but in vain they tried to force their way into the chamber.

Those in front fell pierced by the spears and, while the defenders could see their figures against the light, the assailants, coming out from the sunshine, could see nothing in the chamber, which was now darkened by their filling up the entrance.