DONABEW 181

services into requisition. This is just the contingency that
we thought might possibly occur. I cannot advance up
the river until Donabew is taken, and I cannot attack the
place with the force at my command. Therefore I will
at once write a despatch to General Campbell for you to
carry. You will be accompanied by the two men of the
bodyguard who have come with me as orderlies. I shall
have no use for them here, and three of you together need
not fear any molestation from the few people remaining in
their villages, and may be able to cut your way through any
of the bands of deserters or beaten troops dispersed over the
country.’’

«« Very well, General. I shall also take my Burman on my
second charger; he may be useful in getting news as to
roads from the natives, who will as likely as not fly into the
jungle when they see us approaching. However, there is
not much fear of our losing our way, as it will be along the
river as far as Tharawa.”’

A boat was at once sent off to the craft carrying the two
orderlies, and the horses of the staff. As soon as the de-
spatch was written, Stanley, after shaking hands with his com-
panions, was also rowed to the horse-barge. This was, at a
signal of the general, taken in tow by the steamer and piloted
to the opposite bank. A boat sounding ahead presently
found a spot where there was enough water for the barge
to get alongside the bank. The horses were led ashore, and
Stanley, the two troopers, and Meinik mounted.

The Burmese are poor riders, but during the wet season
Stanley had often taken Meinik on his spare horse when
riding about in the camp, partly because he could trust him
to look after the horses carefully, and in the second place
to accustom him to ride on horseback, so as to act, if required,
as an orderly. Meinik was quite of opinion that there would