I will go down with you." Meinik accordingly went down to the entrance, and shouted out: "Peace, peace! I am ordered, by the English officer, to say that he would wish those who have fought so bravely to be honoured, after death; and that no shot shall be fired, and no interference made, with those who come to carry away the dead." There was silence for two or three minutes, and then a voice called back: "It is well; for two hours there shall be peace between us." "I have no doubt the governor is as glad to do this as we are.

It is considered a disgrace, if the dead are not carried off the ground to burial; and if he sends despatches to Ava, he will be glad to be able to put in that the brave men who fell have all been buried, with due honours.

Besides, Meinik, it would not be encouraging to his troops for them to have that pile of dead bodies before them and, indeed, would be enough to cause a pestilence, in a few days." The men were formed up again, round the entrance.

The Burmese did their work silently.

Occasionally a slight movement was heard, but no one could have imagined that a hundred men were busy outside.