The route lay across vast forests and over steep mountains. All these obstacles had been foreseen and provided for. The provinces situated to the north west of the capital were laid waste and the inhabitants through fear of death or slavery fled to the forests, where they had to contend against wild beasts for their existence. The burning towns and villages threw the capital into a state of panic. The Siamese threatened with utter ruin, massed their forces and marched in fear against an enemy of whose courage they had had experience so many times. They ventured on a battle, and fought with greater courage than they were wont to exhibit. A crushing defeat was inflicted on them which left the whole country at the mercy of the invader. The country side, ravaged by fire, had nothing to show better than barren cinders, and the impending famine was a prospect as terrible as the sword of the barbarians. While the victorious army spread desolation on every side, a fresh horde of barbarians overran the country. The Burmese, meeting with no resistance, occupied the province as conquerors and everywhere left traces of their ravages. They built a town at the junction of two rivers and named it Michong. This position was intended to act as a base of operations in case of defeat. During these troublous times, the King of Siam, shut up in his harem, made light of his people's woes. The news that the enemy had evacuated Tennasserim and Mergui had given rise to the belief that the danger had passed, and that the State would require no defenders. At last the Burmese appeared before the city gates, and there was hardly a ghost of an army to oppose them. At the tumult caused by the entrance of bands of peasants seeking refuge in the royal city, the King was awakened from his state of lethargy. The refugees were obliged to assist in the repair of the fortifications of the town. Mounds forty feet high were built for artillery of position. The Christians refused to assist in this work, as they were certain that these mounds would crumble by their own weight. The Bishop of Tabraca who had foreseen the danger and who could have escaped it, considered that the town was a post to which he had been assigned, and which he could not desert without betraying his trust. But although fearless of personal danger, he considered that it was his duty to take steps for the safety of the young people confided to his care. Thirty young pupils were sent to M. M. Kcherve and Artaud who took this little band into the eastern part of Siam, whence it was easy to retreat further in case of necessity. It was lucky for them that they had been able to effect a speedy departure, for, a few days later, orders were issued forbidding any one from leaving the city.