250 ON THE IRRAWADDY

do it, but not these fellows. They can only enter two
abreast, and with a dozen spear points facing them what can
they do? I thought that I would just come up and tell you
it was all right. It will take them five minutes, at least, to
pile up stones level with the doorway.”’

Stanley again joined those below. Meinik, the trooper,
and one of the Burmese were to form the first line; the
four other Burmese were to stand behind, with their spears,
between the men in front; the two guards with their mus-
kets, and the boys, were to act as a reserve. Stanley had
armed himself with one of the axes, and was to stand by the
side of the entrance, so that if the spearmen were pressed
back, and any of the assailants succeeded in passing the en-
trance, he would strike them down. Presently there was a
silence outside.

«Keep well back,’’ he said. ‘‘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.”’ .

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 de-
fenders 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. Not once was it necessary for Stanley to sttike.
The Burmans’ spears did their work thoroughly, and in two
or three minutes the entrance was nigh choked up wif! 1 dead