"How did you manage to fall into the hands of these people ?" "It matters not to you," the Burman said indignantly, "since you have gone over to them." "Not at all, not at all," Meinik replied.

"Do you not know that there are many here who, like myself, have come in as fugitives, with instructions what to do when our people attack?
I am expecting news as to when the soothsayers declare the day to be a fortunate one.

Then we shall all be in readiness to do our share, as soon as the firing begins." "It will be on the fourth day from this," the Burman said.

"We do not know whether it will be the night before, or the night after.
The soothsayers say both will be fortunate nights; and the Invulnerables will then assault the pagoda, and sweep the barbarians away.

The princes and woongees will celebrate the great annual festival there, two days later." "That is good!" Meinik said.