The continuing struggle against
the Haws
Prince Phrachak, a brother of the King, had with him Phya Derajdecho, who had been at Woolwich,
and was attached to the English Artillery. He was a scion of
the best family in Siam below royalty. Phya Surisak Munntri carried
with him the traditions of a great Siamese family, associated
closely with the history of Siam for centuries. He was also fortunate
in possissing the close friendship and confidence of the King.
If these expeditions failed in the slightest detail, it was to
the leaders and no one else that blame could be attached.
Prince Phrachak went to Nawng
Kai
, and his active lieutenant pushed on to Tung Chieng Kumm,
but he was disappointed to find that the birds had flown. He,
however, burnt the nest, and placed it beyond all chance of being
again used. He was then longing to join his cousin, Phya Surisak,
who he heard was being actively employed in Hua Punn Tang Ha Tang
Hok
. Phya Surisak fixed his head-quarters at M. Sawn, where he
remained during the rainy season, and went through a considerable
amount of hardship. He complained chiefly of running short of
quinine; he had with him a Chino-Siamese, who had taken a degree
in America as doctor of medicine, and although his knowledge of
English was limited, the best of doctors would not have been more
acceptable. Later on the French were again on the move. The
place of Dr. Neiss was taken be M. Pavie. M. Pavie, a man of
about thirty-five years of age, had formerly been in the service
of the Government of Siam, when he constructed the line of telegraph
from Bangkok to Phratambang. He also made many journeys in the
regions between Siam and Cambodia, and constructed the telegraph
line through Annam to Tonquin. So enthusuastic had he become
about planting telegraph poles, that it is said when asked if
he was a rich man what he would do, the answer was, "Plant
telegraph poles all aver the world." He was now to enter
on duties other man planting telegraph poles. Had the Siamese
known the part he was to play, they would have done a great deal
to encourage his desire to "plant telegraph poles all over
the world."
As I was to go north and join
Phya Surisak's column, it was though a favourable opportunity
for me to accompany M. Pavie, and the courteous French representative,
Count de Kergaradec, arranged that I should do so. I had elected
to go by way of Chieng Mai, to avoid interfering with the transport
forwarding requisites for the army at Luang Phrabang, this route
also suited M. Pavie; but in order not to be involved in any
complications that might arise in the future, I had it completely
and thoroughly explained that my connection with M. Pavie was
only in so far as the steam-launch could go no further, our connections
would be severed. Above Paknam Po the launch towing us stuch
on a sand-bank, my six-chao boat was at the same time lashed close
to the launch, and the tide swinging the launch round, nearly
capsized my boat. I had just time to cut the ropes. I bid adieu
to M. Pavie, for according to previous agreement, I proceeded
on my way and he on his.
M. Pavie was always courteous;
hs did all he could to make the journey pleasant. I was accompanied
by Mr. Collins and M. du Plessis de Richelieu. My association
with M. Pavie could not have led to any good in any direction,
and looking back in the light of recent events, I am thankful
to think that I was not associated with him.
We hurried on to Chieng Mai,
thence to Chieng Rai, by boat to Luang Phrabang, and thence to
M. Teng, which place we reached on the 16th of December.
Continued
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