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 Monsieur des Farges saw plainly now that these Proposals were nothing but a meer Contrivance, and like so many Snares that they had laid to catch him; which he was fully convinc'd of in a very little time afterwards, as well by the distinct Information he receiv'd from several of his Friends, that by Opra Pitrachard ' s express Order, had leave to make him a Visit, as by Letters that came to him from his Officers: And began now to confider with himself, what he must do to get out of the Danger that his good Nature and Fidelity to the King had so unluckily brought him into; and the best Expedient he could think of, was to send this Answer to Opra Pitrachard:

That the King of France, his Master, had sent him to serve the King of SIAM, and that he was now ready to obey his Commands: But that he thought it highly necessary to go himself in person to Bancock, to bring the Soldiers with him, in regard that the Officers that commanded in his Absence, would not quit the Fortress upon a bare Letter.

This seem'd so reasonable, and to carry so much probability with it, that he presently obtain'd leave to return to the Fort; but on condition to leave his two Sons that came along with him, as Hostages for the performance of his promise. But before he left Louvo, he was much press'd by the Opra to write to Monsieur de Bruham, and fain would he have been excused from complying with him in it: And told him, That unless he sent an Officer of his own to carry the Letter, it would signifie nothing, nor be regarded. But