Page:Notes of a journey across the Isthmus of Krà.pdf/15

 coast, and reached Koh Pee in four hours from the time we left the entrance of Raat Koot river. The mouth of the Rehnong river is obstructed by a number of small islands and is very shoal. After considerable delay from repeatedly grounding we arrived with our baggage at the landing place, one and a half miles up. From the landing place а good road, about one and a half miles long, leads to the town. Carriages, sent by His Excellency the Governor, were in attendance, and at 6 p.m, the Expedition met with a warm reception from His Excellency, and took up their quarters in his hospitable residence.

At this place we had a good look round. The latitude and longitude of Government House were carefully determined and subsequent solar observations were made to verify the same. The Commandant's position of the place and my own agreed very closely. Atmospheric tide curves were carefully observed and recorded both by myself and the chief engineer Mr. Bourgery. The steam launch and elephants were sent to meet the remainder of the expedition on its way from Langsuen.

After completing our observations, it was determined to explore the Chah Hoon river and the track leading therefrom towards Kow Kye, to discover the Sawe valley if possible, and, in accordance with instructions received from the Siamese Government. His Excellency the Governor of Rehnong supplied a steam launch and elephants for that purpose.

February 13th.—Left the mouth of the river Koh Pee in the launch at 8 h. 30 m. a.m., and arrived at the entrance of the Chah Hoon river at 11 o'clock. Here we remained until ten minutes past noon, repairing the engine, when we again started. The river is wide for three and a half miles inside its mouth, where it gradually narrows and snakes about until the village of Chah Hoon is reached, the highest point navigable for boats.

It is a shallow stream with rocky bed in some places. Hills of high and low altitude terminate near both banks, and are plentiful along its course. At 2 h. 48m, p.m., arrived at Ban Chah Hoon, a populous village on the left bank of the river encircled by hills. The river here has shingle banks and a rocky bed, and is nothing more than the beginning of a mountain