The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-06-12
MISCELLANEOUS.
From Colbarn's NeW Monthly Magasine.
AN ADVENTURE IN AVA.


From Colbarns NsD Nonlaly lhgasine.
AN ADVENTURE IN AVA.
BY MAJOR CALDER CAMPBELL
II was on the Gath Of February, 1926, that
at Yandabu, in the kingdom Of Ava a treaty
Of peace was ratified between the British and
Burmese nations. My health, which, from
the hardships and exposure attendant on
long and harassing campaign in the ''land Of
the stranger" had been for several months We
ny precarious, rendered return to the shores
OF Madras Indispensable and now that peace
began TO waive her olive beushs over those
plains, which had for so long period witness
ed the ruthless conflict Of war, was anxious
10 return TO Rangoon, thence TO embark for
Madras, in search Of that health for which
change of scene and situation arc often so
yanly tried. 10 proceed by land, distance
ofthree hundred miles, was out Of the ques-
ton, overrun as the country was by desperate
rufians, in whose eyes the enforced peace,
which the victor army had wrung from the
Golden Feet, would have appeared but Us an
instigation to the cruelest atrocities. The RI
yer, though not free from pirates, presented
the best means Of proceeding, and was ad-
vised to wait until the departure of that Por-
tion Of the troops which formed the water
party should warrant my safety. But too i'll
to think seriously of danger, and too willing
to leave campaign, whose only charm-ihat
of warlare-was extinct, l refused to delay
my voyage, and left Yandabu on the 9th Of
March. in small canoe, manned by Burman
aboatmen, accompanied by two servants and an
invalid sepoy.
shall never forget the bright benefcent
beauty of that morning, as, bidding adeu to
my brother officers, stepped into the frail and
fairy bark which was, hoped, to convey me
in safety to Rangoon. The banks of the Ira
wadd, that fine majestic stream which pur-
sues its magnificent progress through most
unhappy country-even as the rays Of the
bright sun rest upon the dwellings of the
wretched-were lined with people; soldiers
European and native-sailors, higgling for
fresh fish and egetables,-sutlers, vending
their scanty and coveted stores at exorbitant
charges,-Burmese, Sianese, Chinese, all
were there! and on the countenances OF the
soldiers the eye Of imagination might trace the
CLEAN of pleasure, as anticipations Of speedy
abandonment of a country, which might in
truth be called "the soldiers grave" fitted
across their thoughts.
clouded as though the peace that resigned
there was but the reflection Of that which
dweIt below. 1t was delightful day--and |
sat under the Waited canopy of my skif,
plunged in that delicious chaos of thought
which SO nearly resembles the transory and
unsatisfactory raptures Of the opium-eater.
However, as twiight-like fond and careful
nurse, wrapping her patient in dark but warm
mantle-began to enrobe all nature in her dim
array, the excitement of my feelings subsidized;
and as l gazed around me and found myself
in my lone and tiny bark in the midst Of the
wide river; on which not another object was
discernible, darker thoughts and feelings re-
turned to my breast,-even as carrion-birds
will flock back at nightlall to their wonted
roost Darkness crep on--slowly, but steadi-
ly,-and brisk, uncertain breeze sprang from
the gathering clouds Sit increased. until !
noted that my boatmen would gladly have got
rid Of it, and began to look out for fitting
shore near which to moor their vessel. The
river was presently Tuning, like an angry
thing, and as the banks which we neared
rose bluff and precipitous from the waters
edge, they showed, in the sheet lightning
which played capriciously around, like the bat
Elements Of some Gothic fortalice, amidst the
gloomy recesses of an ancient forest BY this
time the gale had grown to storm, and alarm
found its way to every breast.
The surly sough of the wind,-the unplea-
SAINT motion of the canoe, tossed angrily by the
surges, that whirled up their spray insultingy
in our faces,-the harsh screams of the al.
frighted water-birds around us,-I recollect
them all Suddenly we struck against the
bank the canoe was filled in a moment with
the overpowering element; and wet and fright
ened, we were all on shore, and scrambling
up from the water before we were quite con-
scious Of what had happened.
The Burmans, however, had probably sus-
pected such an occurrence for they managed
to rescue my few valuabes, consisting OF nv
stock of clothes, liquor-case and my humble
breakfast service, from the stranded skiT, at
the very moment when she was swamped; but,
on examination we found that she had suffered
injury so material, as to render her totally USE
less. Our sensations were not very agreeable,
but lamentations was needless, and in the
darkness and the gale which still continued, l
thought rest the most advisable thing. A
glass Of brandy was distributed to each per-
son,-eatables there were none, except some
uncooked rice, and little wet biscuit and SUI
gar: forour stock of fowls, and other proven
der, hnd been seized as lawful "loot" booty
by the maids Of the stream. So, wrapping
myself in my boat-cloak, wet as il was, | lay
n IL Al L n ia.