[14] The word _city_ is here used to signify the royal palace, its appurtenances and fortifications. “Sire, it is splendid, and presents an appearance such as I have never seen elsewhere.” “All the palaces and pagodas which you see from here have been built in one year since my return from Siam: in another year all will be finished. Formerly Cambodia was very extensive; but the Annamites have deprived us of many provinces.” “Sire, the time has arrived for you to retake them. The French are assailing them on one side; do you attack them on the other.” His Majesty did not reply, but offered me a cigar, and inquired my age. “I am twenty-three,” he said to me. “I recognise you; you were at Siam with M. de Montigny.” “No, sire; your Majesty is mistaken. I have only been in Siam a twelvemonth.” I then sent for an elegant small Minié rifle, which the king’s officers had examined in the morning, and presented it to him, asking him if he would deign to accept it. He desired me to load it, which I did. “It is done, sire,” said I. “Is it possible? Fire, then.” He chose for a target a post some way off, and pointed out the place he wished me to hit. I fired, and immediately his Majesty and the pages went to satisfy themselves that the aim was true. “When do you wish to leave Udong?” “Sire, I should like to depart, the day after to-morrow, for Pinhalu and the other provinces.” “If you could remain one day longer, it would give me pleasure. To-morrow you will dine with me; on the day after I will take you to see the town of the first king, and in the evening we will have a play.” The play, I thought, will be curious, and therefore I decided to remain; and, after I had thanked the king for his kindness to me, he shook hands with me, and we separated. Evidently I was in high favour. On the following morning messengers came from the king to place horses at my disposal, should I be inclined to ride; but the heat was too great. About four in the afternoon he again did me the honour of sending a horse to bring me to the palace. I wore a white coat, vest, and trousers; a helmet made of cork,[15] after the fashion of the ancient Romans, and covered with white muslin, completed my singular toilet. [15] A head-dress excessively light and cool, convenient, and shading the face and neck from the sun. I strongly recommend it to travellers in hot countries. VISIT TO THE SECOND KING. I was introduced by the chamberlain into one of the king’s private apartments, a pretty room furnished in the European style. His Majesty sat waiting for me, smoking, near a table covered with refreshments; and as soon as I entered he rose, and holding out his hand, and smiling, he begged me to sit down and begin my repast. I perceived that he intended, after the manner of the country, to do me honour by being present at the meal without partaking of it himself.