Chapter I: Preface

The favorable reception accorded to "The Boy Travellers in Japan and China" has led to the preparation of the present book.

Frank and Fred have continued their journey under the guidance of Doctor Bronson, and the plan of their travels and observation is identical with the one they followed through the Celestial Empire and the Land of the Mikado. The incidents in the narrative were mainly the experiences of the author at a recent date; and the descriptions of countries, cities, temples, people, manners, and customs are nearly all from his personal observations and notes. He has endeavored to give a faithful account of Siam, Java, and the adjacent countries as they appear to-day, and trusts that the only fiction of the book is in the names of the individuals who tell the story.

In a few instances the narrative has been slightly interrupted, in order to introduce matters of general interest to young readers. The details of the progress of naval architecture and the accounts of submarine operations, together with the wonderful adventures of Marco Polo, may be classed as digressions. It is hoped they will meet the same welcome that was accorded to the episode of a whaling voyage in the first record of the travels of Frank and Fred.

The publishers have kindly allowed the use of some illustrations that have already appeared in their publications relative to the Far East, in addition to those specially prepared for this volume. The author has consulted the works of previous travellers in the East to supplement his own information, and to some of them he is under obligations. Especially is he indebted to Mr. Frank Vincent, Jr., author of that excellent and well-known book, "The Land of the White Elephant," not only for details respecting Cambodia and adjacent regions, but for some of the admirable engravings that adorn his volume. Other authorities are credited with the text of their work or in foot-notes to the pages where quotations are made.

The author is not aware that any book describing Siam, Java, Cochin China, Cambodia, and the Malay Archipelago, and especially addressed to the young, has yet appeared. Consequently he hopes that this volume will meet with as warm a welcome as was given to "The Boy Travellers in Japan and China," by adult as well as juvenile members of many families throughout the United States.

T. W. K.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I. PAGE

DEPARTURE FROM HONG-KONG. 13

CHAPTER II.

VOYAGE TO SAIGON.--ARRIVAL IN COCHIN CHINA. 23

CHAPTER III.

HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE.--FIRST SIGHTS AND SCENES IN ANAM. 34

CHAPTER IV.

A WONDERFUL TEMPLE.--RUINS OF NAGKON WAT AND ANGKOR. 47

CHAPTER V.

CAMBODIA.--ITS CAPITAL AND KING. 61

CHAPTER VI.

DEPARTURE FROM SAIGON.--VISITING A CHINESE JUNK. 73

CHAPTER VII.

THE WONDERFUL STORY OF MARCO POLO. 86

CHAPTER VIII.

ARRIVAL IN SIAM.--FIRST DAY IN BANGKOK. 106

CHAPTER IX.

TEMPLES AT BANGKOK.--THE FOUNDER OF BUDDHISM. 119

CHAPTER X.

ASCENDING THE MENAM, FROM BANGKOK TO AYUTHIA. 131

CHAPTER XI.

VISITING THE PRINCE OF THE ELEPHANTS.--AYUTHIA.--SOMETHING ABOUT
CROCODILES. 143

CHAPTER XII.

STORIES OF ELEPHANT-HUNTING.--SCENES OF THE CHASE. 161

CHAPTER XIII.

BANG-PA-IN TO BANGKOK.--STUDIES IN NATURAL HISTORY AND BOTANY. 177

CHAPTER XIV.

THE KING IN HIS STATE BARGE.--BETEL AND TOBACCO. 190

CHAPTER XV.

WOMEN, HAIR-CUTTING, AND SLAVERY. 202

CHAPTER XVI.

CREMATION IN SIAM.--TRADE, TAXES, AND BIRDS. 215

CHAPTER XVII.

PRESENTATION TO THE KING.--DINNER AT THE PALACE. 228

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE WHITE ELEPHANT.--VISIT TO THE SECOND KING OF SIAM. 237

CHAPTER XIX.

LEAVING SIAM.--LIFE UNDER THE OCEAN WAVE. 249

CHAPTER XX.

LIGHT UNDER WATER.--PEARL-FISHING AND TURTLE-HUNTING. 262

CHAPTER XXI.

INCIDENTS OF A SEA-VOYAGE.--SINGAPORE. 280

CHAPTER XXII.

SIGHTS AND SCENES IN SINGAPORE. 294

CHAPTER XXIII.

CROSSING THE EQUATOR.--ADVENTURE WITH MALAY PIRATES. 311

CHAPTER XXIV.

SUMATRA AND ITS PECULIARITIES.--SNAKES AND ORANG-OUTANGS. 326

CHAPTER XXV.

ARRIVAL IN JAVA.--SIGHTS AND SCENES IN BATAVIA. 343

CHAPTER XXVI.

BATAVIA TO BUITENZORG.--TROPICAL SCENES.--BIRDS OF PARADISE. 358

CHAPTER XXVII.

A CHAPTER ON POLITICAL ECONOMY.--THE DUTCH CULTURE SYSTEM IN JAVA. 374

CHAPTER XXVIII.

RICE CULTURE IN JAVA.--MILITARY AND SOCIAL MATTERS. 387

CHAPTER XXIX.

A POST RIDE IN JAVA.--FROM BUITENZORG TO BANDONG. 400

CHAPTER XXX.

VISITING A TEA PLANTATION.--PREPARATION OF TEA. 411

CHAPTER XXXI.

EASTERN JAVA, LOMBOCK, TIMOR, AND THE ARU ISLANDS. 422