64 On the History of the Burma race. [No. 2, 



a kingly crown. Having feasted the clergy and laity, be returned to 

 Han-tka-wa-ti, and informed Bhnreng Noung that he would march 

 to Prome after the month Tha-den-gwyut (October), and charged 

 him to make all the necessary preparations. A large army and fleet 

 of boats were prepared, including some boats armed with guns. The 

 city of Pegu was left in charge of Tha-do-dham-ma Ra-dza, brother 

 of Bhureng Noung, and Thet-she-kyau-hteng. The whole of the 

 war arrangements were under the direction of Bhureng Noung, and 

 the army moved by land and water from the city of Pegu in the 

 month Ta-tsoung-mun (November). 



In the meantime, Meng Khoung, king of Prome, was exerting 

 himself to resist the formidable force which had been gathered 

 against him. Tho-han-bwa, king of Ava, felt that his own safety 

 depended upon supporting Prome. He collected an army, and sup- 

 ported by the Tsau-bwas of Un-boung, Mo-meit, and Mo-nhyin, 

 marched down to Prome. The king of Arakan also having been 

 applied to for help, sent a land column across the hills from Than- 

 dwai (Sandoway) under his brother; while another force was sent by 

 sea, round Cape Negrais to penetrate up the Bassein river, and so 

 cause a diversion. 



Meng-ta-ra Shwe-hti having reached Prome with his fleet and 

 army, remained at a little distance to avoid loss from the guns. 

 Hearing that the king of Ava, with the northern Shans, was moving 

 down, he sent half of his army to the northern side of the city under 

 Bhureng Noung, who suddenly attacked them about one march 

 distant from the city. They were completely routed, the guns of 

 Bhureng Noung doing great execution. The Shan army fled to Ava 

 and there the Tsau-bwas proposed making an attack on Toung-u, 

 but nothing was done, and they returned to their own countries. 



The city of Prome was closely invested, but was too strong to be 

 taken quickly. A letter was now intercepted from the brother of the 

 king of Arakan to the king of Prome announcing his arrival, and 

 that he was about five marches distant. A feigned reply was once 

 sent together with guides, and Bhureng Noung was despatched with 

 a force to attack the Arakanese army. Taken by surprise, they were 

 defeated and utterly dispersed, being only saved from destruction by 

 the hilly country, which favoured their flight. The son of the king 



