Page:Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal Vol 7, Part 2.djvu/16

596 had ever been in this bay. These rocks from their shapes are called by the Siamese the Yot Phoonga, or pyramids of Phoonga.

Just as we approached the rugged chain alluded to, we were much surprised to observe a handsome brig lying at anchor; this harbour being if not absolutely unknown to European traders is now but very rarely visited by any. She turned out to be an American merchant-man, “the Hope of Boston,” with a small crew of eight or ten men. The commander was ashore in his whale boat, and had left his crew under a mate; when we met him afterwards he told us that his crew had taken us for a pirate (although we had English colors up), and had nearly given us a salute, when passing within half pistol shot, with all their guns and fire-arms. To this speech our captain made a suitable reply. He too, although an American himself and one too in heart, coolly said, that it was most lucky for the Hope of Boston that she had kept quiet, since she must soon have become a legal prize to his brig, defended as she was by four six pounders and a party of twenty sepoys, besides lascars and officers. This American trader had many muskets for sale on board, but the Siamese did not seem pleased with their quality. Indeed, thef were of a most ordinary description, being hooped round the barrels and stocks, and not resting at the half cock. It is not easy to impose any spurious article of trade on the Siamese, especially fire-arms; but they will exchange their tin for good one, although luckily not so much to the advantage of the European or American trader as to render it an object of much importance to him to bring out large supplies.

Our brig having been anchored about a mile off Phoonga river, I decided to go up at once to the town, being aware that should the Siamese governor take alarm he might excuse himself from allowing me to visit the town.

I therefore immediately left the ship with an escort of ten sepoys and rowed up the river. It was found to flow through a level country covered with mangroves and other jungle from which we were saluted by the chatterings of tribes of monkeys.

The tide being partly against us we did not reach the pemng to the cultivated plain until after six hours’ rowing. Here some Chinese junks were observed at anchor, and we were hailed from the custom house and told to stop. On pretence, however, of not understanding them we pushed up to the town. The people were apparently under considerable alarm, and we were afterwards informed that the governor’s son, who was acting in his father’s absence, had ordered the alarm