These were now all occupied by officers and troops, and there were so many of them that it had not been necessary to place any of the men under canvas--an important consideration, during the almost continuous rain of the last three months.
"Why, Cooke, I did not know that you talked Burmese," an officer standing at one of the doors remarked, as the officer came along, chatting with Stanley.
"You don't know all my accomplishments, Phillipson," the captain laughed, for the idea that there existed such a thing as a Burmese peasant who could talk English had not occurred to the other.

"I am taking him to the chief, to show off my powers;" and passed on, leaving the officer looking after him, with a puzzled expression on his face.
On their arrival at Sir Archibald Campbell's headquarters, Captain Cooke sent in his name and, as the general was not at the moment engaged, he was at once shown in; followed by Stanley, Meinik remaining without.
"Good morning, sir.

I see you have brought in a deserter," the general said.
"He is not a deserter, sir.

He is an escaped prisoner, who has made his way down from Ava through the enemy's lines.
"This is Mr.Brooke.He was serving as an officer with the native levy, at Ramoo, and was reported as killed.

However, he was fortunately only stunned and, being the only officer found alive, was sent by Bandoola as a prisoner to Ava.