They naturally urged that, if they had had the least knowledge that it was going to be made, they would have left the place in time.

But the Burmese at once condemned them to death, and they were taken back to the prison to be executed.
The sentence was not carried out.

The Burmese had intended to execute them on the walls, in sight of their countrymen; and the authorities had all assembled at the prison for the purpose when, fortunately, a shot from the first broadside fired passed through the building, causing an instant stampede.

The chiefs at once left the city; and the prisoners, heavily chained, were marched some distance into the country.

A party of British troops were, however, pushed forward in advance of the town, as soon as it was occupied; and the guard, in alarm for their own safety, placed the prisoners in a house and made off; and a patrol found them there, on the following morning, and brought them into the town.
The great pagoda, standing two miles and a half from the town, was at once occupied as an advanced position by the British.