A large body of natives were now kept at work on the road up to the Prah.

The swamps were made passable by bundles of brushwood thrown into them, the streams were bridged and huts erected for the reception of the white troops.

These huts were constructed of bamboo, the beds being made of lattice work of the same material, and were light and cool.
On the 9th of December the Himalaya and Tamar arrived, having on board the 23d Regiment, a battalion of the Rifle Brigade, a battery of artillery, and a company of engineers.

On the 18th, the Surmatian arrived with the 42d.

All these ships were sent off for a cruise, with orders to return on the 1st of January, when the troops were to be landed.