The general found that everything was arranged in order, and the encampment certainly presented a pleasing contrast to the irregular, and often crowded quarters of the troops who had passed the wet season there.

The colonel and three of his officers dined with the general, that evening; the party being made up of the military staff, including the two aides-de-camp.
Two days later Stanley, with some of the other members of the staff, dined at the 47th mess.

Stanley was introduced to several of the officers; and these were specially desirous of making his acquaintance, as they had learned that he had been a prisoner at Ava, and could therefore tell them much more than they had hitherto learned of the country into which they were about to advance.
Among them was a young lieutenant, also of the name of Brooke.
Stanley had, three weeks before, attained the same rank.

At the time that he was appointed to the 83rd, there were already several death vacancies in the regiment, and disease and fighting had carried off six more officers.

The whole of the ensigns had consequently obtained their step.