They were now inland, beyond the point where the rains were continuous.

The town was situated on high ground, and the country round was open and healthy.

Although for some little distance round the cattle had been driven off, and the villages destroyed; it was certain that flying columns would be able to bring in any amount of cattle, before the wet season began.
For a short time, it was thought that the occupation of Prome would show the king and court that it was useless to continue the struggle, any longer; but these hopes were dissipated when it was known that a further levy of 30,000 men had been called out.

The court, however, was apparently conscious that its commands would no longer be obeyed with the alacrity before manifested.

The early levies had obeyed the call with cheerfulness; believing in their invincibility, and confident that they would return home laden with spoil after driving, without difficulty, the audacious strangers into the sea.