A VILLAGE TEMPLE. (_Full page._) 275 SALA IN A JUNGLE CLEARING. (_Full page._) 279 TEMPLE BELL TOWER. (_Full page._) 291 WAT CHANG, BANGKOK. (_Full page._) 299 THE SLEEPING BUDDHA. (_Full page._) 309 THE FESTIVAL OF KAW PRASAI. (_Full page._) 319 WAT CHANG AT SUNSET. (_Full page._) 345 PRABAT HILLS FROM NEAR AYUTHIA. (_Full page._) 379 TO MY WIFE THE KINGDOM OF THE YELLOW ROBE. CHAPTER I. STREET SCENES IN THE VENICE OF THE EAST. Bangkok, the Venice of the East, was not the Capital of Siam during the earlier period of that country's history. Formerly the seat of government was at Ayuthia; but the ancient capital is now a heap of ruined temples and dwellings, an attraction for travellers, but of little importance to the people themselves. At the time when this mouldering city was the home of the Sovereign, a man of Chinese origin was sent to govern one of the northern provinces of the country. He is known in Siamese history as Phya Tak, and was a man of great administrative ability. When the invading armies of Burmah, in their triumphant march through Siam, reached the neighbourhood of the ancient capital, Phya Tak was sent for by the king, to aid him with his counsel and strength. His reputation as a brave and powerful warrior secured for him his appointment as Commander-in-Chief of the Siamese army. Mustering all the available forces of the kingdom, he set out to do battle with the enemy. It was hoped that he would utterly rout the invading army, and so free the land from its powerful enemies. But when the valiant Tak came in sight of the foe, he was not long in realising that any attack that might be made by his small army against the much greater numbers of the Burmese, could only end in his utter defeat. He promptly fled with all his own retainers, and with as many of the soldiers as cared to follow him, to the port of Chantaboon. Here he leagued himself with all the fighting men and chiefs of the neighbouring provinces, and finally collected an army of about ten thousand men. He supported himself and his soldiers by robbing and pillaging all the villages along the coast. [Illustration: A SCAVENGER.]