258 COCHINCHINA. 
than to remain on a defenceless island, where certain destruc- 
tion must follow to himself and to his people. 
His Siamese Majesty happened to be at war -with the Braa- 
mans (the Birmans), who had hitherto been constantly vic- 
torious, and made considerable encroachments on his terri- 
tories. Cawng-shmig, Avhose mind was of too lofty a cast to 
brook the idea of remaining a humble and inactive dependent 
on the munificence of the King of Siam, made an offer of his 
services to proceed against the enemy at the head of his little 
army of followers, amounting, at that time, to about one 
thousand effective men. The King accepted his offer. Hav- 
ing acquired, under the instructions of the French missionary, ' 
a considerable knowledge of European tactics, he had now, 
for the first time, an opportunity of putting them in practice. 
Instead of hazarding a general engagement with the enemy, 
lie attacked him only from certain commanding positions, 
thrcAV obstacles in the way of his march, harassed him con- 
tinually by detachments and, in short, made use of so many 
manoeuvres unknown to the Birmans, that he obliged them 
to sue for a peace on his own terms. After this he returned 
in triumph to the capital of Siam, where he was received with 
universal joy and every demonstration of kindness, on the 
part of the King, who loaded him with presents of gold, 
silver and precious stones. 
The King of Siam, it seems, had made overtures to Quang- 
shimg's mother, during his absence in the war, to obtain his 
sister as one of his concubines ; a proposal which she had 
7 
