The National tribune., 1891-03-26

appearing like a dream al the first turn Of the
river.
Reclining in our long chairs orr water pipes
were again lighted, and putting the fragrant
tobacco we ia tarn Intercepted our pleasant
companion. tic Prince, who. with graphic
word painting. related the history Of the
ruined city which We were 10 visit. Hours
were spent ia the recital Of It's attack, defense
and final burning by the armies from Anam;
Of the flight of The people t. the month % the
river, and the decision 10 build new Capital
at Bangkok.
Meantime we were passing through a country
devoid Of ANY attraction; the perpetual Jungle.
me- open Erguld, no sign OF habitaton Some
time, a boat going down the river stopped 10
salute the royal boat, for the Siamcse Ensign
hoated from the flagstaff. A light lunch was
served, and then we all took that midday nap
which, in warm countries, is considered 80
necessary.
Experience has taught me that to follow the
customs Of n country is always best. To import
foreign ways OF living or eating into new places
where the customs are radically different, is
usually followed by sickness, or al least a mis-
cradle condition little better. la hot climates.
especially, customs Of living aud die. are most
important 60 those who come from cooler cimcs.
The m0nUiuHy u our JTip was uHbrokgn, save
by our own conversation and some litlle jokes
we cracked 80 tbe expense Of the Prince, who
had now confessed about his sweetheart az
Baugpavin lie took them laHghiuglv aud
engaged when We returned 10 the palace 20
introduce as ii we would promise not 20 win
her soft y0uug heart with our foreign ways.
lie especially emphasized the fact that the
siameae lady loved long rCl Boards nodding II
zoe as he spoke.
At p. IN. we reached the landing al
hyOujhia, and found elephants ready 20 trans
port as and our camp equipare 10 the spot
selected for our nights TcstHg-piace. We
taTied in The barge until the tents and other
articles had started. Then we took our Grst
lesson lu elephant riding. The huwGah. OF car,
is huge arrangement fitted 10 the bac, OF the
animal like a saddle. with q Cat floor aud cush-
ions and little roof over it, large enough for
two. ID is possible for four 10 BIT iH it, but not
with comfort, SO one animal had been provided
for each two Of The party and we found our
servant and pipes already installed.
The huge elephants were sitting down on all
four knees, but even then the castle was too
high 10 reach. We looked around for a ladder
or some means 10 ascend, but saw none. Seeing
oar brwiaewHCnt. The Prince calling our at
teUti0n, stepped close 10 ORG o. tho animals
who. obcaiuut 20 Us attendant. who sat aslIidc
iUucrk With iis long probo5rs carefully picked
him up and az gently as a nurse handles babe
lifted him into the car
Accustomed a5 We had been 10 consider an
elephant dangerous, 10 required some nerve 10
thus trust ourselves within the limit Of its
trunk, but c0uccalug our hesitation, we each
u turn advanced and were lifted 30 our place.
The method was good though the mOmeutary
sensation was very peculiar. Helpless as babes,
go lc.t the son prJboscs cBcilcle as like a
great finger, left as through the air. pose
moment and then release as inside the how
dab. What 81 the beast should change his
mind. and, whirliug ms aloit, dash ne back 10
cuEhY j presume the others brcaihcd a sigh
Of relief ] did, when ] was left on the soft
cushion.
The party All in, the Prince jed the way
j have lt earthquakes and tie motions which
. accompanied The r ing OF the elephant from
bis knees can be compared 90 nothing else;
while tHc motion OF Ais gait can be compared
10 nothing hni that OF a ship 20 "A. There
was no imr.ug, only a continuous b.l0wy
motion, which 20 ogF naval contingent was not
the least unpleasant rather pleasant. Oar
servant sitting astIIde the back, behind the
saddle was ever ready 10 fan as, light our
pipes or perform any duty, while the noble
slccd uIgcecd for Us flowers or fruit which wo
desired. selecting under our guidance tho very
flower we wished. All we had 90 do was 10
polHt DO The direction, 8ud the 1.-the finger Of
bio ursaU#a.s passed rapidly over TIC objects
tl uu exclamation arrested b. 90 the one
desired: then t rapidly broke u Oh and swung
4 10 iuto the Howdah
Duflug lue three days We rprnt on elephant
back always having The same one, fairly got
. 20 reverence lAe salaCty and g#HiCucas Of
on animal 70 large aud strong, and could uu-
4 dcHiaul why tAc HcauHen native raises 10 10
4 tie level of a ggl, With constant ulpriucsE
,ycrv motion al i,s driver WAS followed. aud il
. seemed as tEeleh every thought was known.
? lo lbly tic man kept converse with tho brute
through AIs heels, Tor he kept mp an almost con-
slant tattoo upon us neck. When Do WAS hot.
duiiup our rests The dumb brute stood near
its driver and with q huge leaf from a palm
tree famed him; and during the whole journey
. never saw the sharp Ir0u duviug-goad used.
Iu Ealt an hour we reached the higher
ground % mud our tents pitched, hamm0cks
. swung, masEct0-0r rather iuseCt-ntttiugs
spread, and busy attendants preparing tie even
Jag meal Surrounded by huge trees, cur camp
ing ground overlooked nothing, aud oven from
the backs of thc elephants only sea Of waving
vcrduTe extending fan as the eye could pene-
tIUe yet We were u tho heart Of great city
gone 10 ruins. ID was too late 10 explore that
night but We were promised by the Prince a
view iu the m0gulgGs We moved out Of camp.
Having heartily enjoyed our dinner, we
retired 10 our various hammOcks aud slept
uulis'uTbCd Ly heat or insects owing 10 the
watcAIGluess ~ our attendants, who took turns
20 tie laus Al an carly hour the shrll trum.
pttiag OF The elephants awoke us and the regu
Of water FOR our baths were brought ia aad