History of the Kingdom of Siam and of the revolutions that have caused the overthrow of the empire, up to A.D. 1770Turpin, F. H. (François Henri)
History
History of the Kingdom of Siam and of the revolutions that have caused the overthrow of the empire, up to A.D. 1770
Turpin, F. H. (François Henri)
Thailand -- Description and travel; Thailand -- History
The saintly man quietly replied that he had none. His companion, when
questioned made the same answer. The Viceroy fearing lest the secret
of their treasure should be buried with them in the tomb, attempted to
wring it from them by torture. At the word of command, a soldier
seized a cudgel about seven or eight feet long and thick in
proportion.
The missionaries lying face downwards on the ground were expecting
death any moment. A stalwart ruffian approached and laid on several
blows with the cudgel with his utmost strength.
Their bodies were streaming with blood and they were left for several
hours on the spot exposed to the burning rays of the sun which
rendered their wounds more painful. The irritation caused by insects
eating their flesh and sucking their blood caused new torments, and
they were surrounded by armed executioners ready to put an end to
their existence.
The Viceroy was astonished at their fortitude, and was convinced that
men who held earthly possessions of so little value could not be
attracted by the desire of wealth. He made a sign to the interpreter
who had treated them so badly and had them raised from the ground.
They partook of some food that the other Christians had prepared for
them, and, for a long time endured the most acute sufferings.
Jeanchi overcome with shame was unable to conceal the state of his
feelings.
The missionaries were convinced that he was repenting of what he had
done, and exhorted the Christians not to reproach him. He continued to
reside with the flock whose shepherds he had wished to destroy. The
Missionaries were transferred to a filthy hovel exposed to the
inclemency of the weather. The night-dews and the bad food hindered
the recovery of their strength.
Mamasadech, always kind-hearted, and a philanthropist before
everything, offered them the use of his ship that was anchored a few
leagues distant. Here their health was restored and they had the
pleasure of seeing the arrival of the Christians who found a haven on
the waters, free from the unpleasant conditions they had fled from on
land. A few days after they set sail for Rangoon, the seaport of the
Kingdom of Ava.
The Burmese army engaged in pillage, rather than in conquest, made
away with the property of the conquered. When they had taken all that
was to be had, they sought a new prey. The leader in the flush of his
initial successes was sure of easy victories. He marched against
Ayuthia, as he considered that if the capital fell, the other towns
would submit without much difficulty.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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