Page:Pearl of Asia (Child JT, 1892).pdf/343



The history commences with a Laos king who reigned in Chieng-rai, at that time the capital of the kingdom. The neighboring king of Sa-tawng invaded his country and took the capital and carried away many captives. On the capture of Chieng-rai the king with many of its inhabitants fled and took refuge within the boundaries of Siam. Crossing the river Po, they came to the ancient city of Paap then in ruins. This city and Kam-p'aang-p'et were situated on opposite sides of the river. The king being endowed with extraordinary merit, P'ra-In, assumed the form of an ascetic and presented himself before him as he was riding on his elephant. He counseled him to found his capital there, being an auspicious place, where he would be safe from all enemies. He then vanished. The king, being delighted with this apparition, said, this ascetic is assuredly P'ra-In, who has assumed this form in order to give me this advice. He therefore encamped and there he built his capital with walls, forts, gates, towers and trenches all complete. When his royal palace and dwellings for the nobles and people were completed, he called it Trei-trung, because its sight had been designated by P'ra-In. In this city he and his descendants reigned for four generations.

At that time there was a very poor man, whose