Page:Great & wonderful revolution in Siam (1690).pdf/10

Rh ''there he was in danger of perishing, and could not save, of all he had, above Two thousand Crowns. In this sad Condition, being opprest with grief, weariness and sleep, a remarkable thing hapned to him: He had laid himself down upon the shore when, whether was asleep, or awake, he could not tell himself, he fancied he saw a person full of Majesty, who looking upon him with a smiling Countenance, most obligingly said to him,'' Return, Return, from whence you came. Which words so wrought upon him, as he did often protest to several of his Acquaintance since, That it was impossible for him to sleep all the rest of the Night, his Thoughts being wholly taken up about finding a way how to return to SIAM.

Next Day, whilst he walked by the Sea-side, reflecting on what he had seen in the Night-time, and uncertain what to think of it, he saw a Man coming towards him dropping wet, with a sad and dejected Countenance: It was an Ambassador of the King of SIAM, who, upon his Return from Persia, had been Cast away, without saving any thing but his Life; both of them Speaking the Siamese ''Tongue, they became soon acquainted with one anothers Adventures. The Ambassador discover'd himself, and told what extreme Necessity he was reduced to. Monsieur Constance condoling his Misfortune, offered to carry him back to SIAM, and with the 2000 Crowns that he had saved, he bought a small Barque, Cloaths and Provision for their passage. This so obliging Behaviour charmed the Ambassador of SIAM, who, from that time forward, endeavour'd all he could how he might testifie his Gratitude to him. When they arrived at SIAM, and the Ambassador had given an Account of his Negotiation and Shipwrack to the chief Minister, he told him all the good Offices which he had receiv'd from Monsieur Constance, with so great Applause to his Merit, that the Minister had a mind to know him. He entertain'd him in Discourse, and liked him so well, that he resolved to keep him about him, in which Post'' he