Our other two men may be useful, to give the alarm, if a party is sent round to cut us off." Stanley, who had brought a horse blanket with him to lay on the top of the palisade, was the first to drop into the inclosure.

Meinik followed him closely.

Nothing had been said to the guard as to the white officer, of whom Meinik had spoken, being himself of the party; and Stanley had purposely left his pistols behind him, lest he should be tempted to use them.

In case he was attacked, he carried a spear and a long Burmese knife.
Meinik had begged to be allowed to go forward first, while Stanley remained by the rope.

He pointed out that some change might possibly have been made, and that other men might have been placed on sentry.
"I know you, master," he said; "if you got there, and found two strangers, and they attacked you, you would fight; then they would give the alarm, and others would come up before you could cross the palisade.