596 Excursions to the Eastward. [July, 



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, they 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 ones, 

 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 opening 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 gover- 

 nor's son, who was acting in his father's absence, had ordered the alarm 



* From 50 to GO tons burden. 



