Page:Rhamon (1939).pdf/77

 to the long poles that formed the big letters.

"Look, Uncle!" he cried.

"Yes," replied the Chief of Police. "That is the way that their school gives a living welcome to the great Rajah."

"But if one of them lost his hold he would fall in the river!"

"Would you not gladly take that risk to honor your Rajah?" asked the Chief of Police.

Rhamon slowly nodded his head and they paddled on.

Looking down the glistening river Rhamon saw the first boats of the royal procession moving slowly forward. They were beautiful boats with painted sides, embroidered curtains and long lines of oarsmen in red uniforms.

Then Rhamon's eyes opened wide with wonder as he saw the great boat of the Rajah gliding toward him. It was longer than any boat he had ever seen. At the front and the back it rose out of the water like the spreading tail of a peacock. The central part was a tiny house with beau-