He need not do anything else but this.

But it is likely that the natives will speak more freely to him than they would to a white officer, and he may as well be earning thirty rupees a month, and drawing rations, as hanging about all day, doing nothing." Thanking the general, Stanley took the plan and, going back to his quarters, studied it attentively.

He told Meinik of the arrangement that had been made for him, with which the Burman was much pleased.
Thirty rupees a month seemed a large sum to him, and he was glad that he should not be costing Stanley money for his food.
Three hours later one of his horses was brought round, and he started on his ride through the camp.

There were two roads leading through the town to the great pagoda.

Both were thickly bordered by religious houses and pagodas--the latter, for the most part, being in a state of dilapidation.