PORTUGUESE HISTORY OF MALACCA. 135 



finis succeeded in his mission, Coello was forced by stress of 

 weather upon the coast of Pahang, where he was received in a 

 friendly manner by the king, who voluntarily submitted to be- 

 come a vassal to the crown of Portugal, and to pay a cup of 

 gold as an annual tribute. This was clone more from hatred 

 to the king of Bintang than from love to the Portuguese. 



The kingdom of Siam at that time was one of the greatest 

 in the East, the two other of greater consequence being China 

 and Bisnagar. The great river Menam runs through the 

 middle from North to South, having its source in the great 

 lake of Chiamay, in lat 30° N., and its mouth in lat 13° N., so 

 that the length of this kingdom is 330 leagues. On the west 

 it joins Bengal, on the south Malacca, on the north China, 

 and on the east Cambodia. The territory contains both moun- 

 tains and plains, and it is inhabited by many different races 

 of people, some of whom are extremely cruel and bar- 

 barous, and even feed on human flesh. Among these, the Guei 

 ornament themselves with figures impressed with hot irons. ( x ) 

 Siam abounds in elephants, cattle, and buffaloes. It has many 

 sea-ports and populous cites, Hudia being the metropolis or 

 residence of the Court. The Siamese build sumptuous tem- 

 ples, in which they have images of vast size. They are very 

 religious, sparing in their diet, much given to divination, and 

 addicted to the study of astrology. The country is extremely 

 fertile, and abounds in gold, silver, and other metals. The 

 memorable services of the subjects are recorded, that they may 

 be read to the kings. 



In the year 1518, the king of Bintang ( 2 ) again attacked 

 Malacca by land, with 1,500 men and many elephants, while 

 GO vessels blockaded the harbour. The Portuguese garrison 

 consisted only of 200 men, many of whom were sick, but the 

 danger cured them of their fevers, and every one ran to repel 

 the enemy. After a severe encounter of three hours, the 



O This account of Siam seems to be borrowed direct from 

 stanzas 125 and 126 of the tenth canto of the Lusiads. See Mr. 

 Satow's Bibliographv of Siam supra p. . Ed. 



( 2 ) Bentan. 



