Half an hour later, smoke rose in many places, and then flames; then after a time, all was quiet.
A boy crept up among the bushes, and came back with the news that they had all gone.
"Then we came out again.

Twenty-three of our people had been killed, and eight carried off; at least, we cannot find the bodies.
The white officer and one of his soldiers have gone, also." "Which way did they go ?" "The tracks show that they went up the hill.

Most likely they will have gone to Toungoo, if they have gone to any town at all; but indeed, we think they have taken the prisoners to get a reward for them." Stanley had thrown himself off his horse, as he rode up; and he stood for some time, silently leaning against it.

Then he said to Meinik: "Picket the horses, and then come and have a talk with me." Then he turned to the two troopers: "There is nothing to be done now," he said.

"You had better look about, and see what you can find in the way of food; and then get a grave dug for your comrade, and another for Mr.Brooke's servant." The two Mahommedan troopers saluted, and led their horses away.
Meinik, after picketing the animals, returned to Stanley but, seeing that the latter was pacing up and down, and evidently not disposed to speak, he went away.
There were a good many fowls walking about, in a bewildered way, near the huts.