Chapter I: Preface

This volume completes the series of "The Boy Travellers in the Far East." It attempts to describe Ceylon and India, together with Borneo, the Philippine Islands, and Burmah, in the same manner that the preceding volumes gave an account of Japan, China, Siam, Java, Cochin-China, Cambodia, and the Malay Archipelago.

Frank and Fred have continued their journey under the guidance of Doctor Bronson, and the plan of their travels is identical with that previously followed. The words of the last preface may be repeated in this: "The incidents of 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 Ceylon, India, Burmah, and the Philippine Islands 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."

As in the foregoing volumes, the narrative has been interrupted occasionally, in order to introduce matters of general interest to juvenile readers. The author hopes that the chapters on meteors, sea-serpents, and outrigger boats will meet the same welcome that was accorded to the episode of a whaling voyage, in the first volume, and the digressions concerning naval architecture, submarine explorations, and the adventures of Marco Polo, in the second.

The publishers have kindly allowed the use of illustrations that have appeared in previous publications, in addition to those specially prepared for this volume. The author has consulted the works of previous travellers in the Far East to supplement his own information, and is under obligations to several of them. As in the last volume, he is specially indebted to Mr. Frank Vincent, Jr., author of "The Land of the White Elephant," for his descriptions of Burmah, and for the use of several of the engravings relative to that country. Other authorities have been generally credited in the text of the work, or in foot-notes to the pages where quotations are made.

In their departure from Bombay, Frank and Fred have left the Far East behind them; but, as they are yet a long way from home, they can hardly be said to have finished their travels. It is quite possible that they may be heard from again, in the company of their good friend, the Doctor, and may allow us, as they have heretofore, to glance at their letters to friends at home.

T. W. K.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I. DEPARTURE FROM JAVA.--VOYAGE TO BORNEO. 15
CHAPTER II. AN EXCURSION IN BORNEO.--STORY OF RAJAH BROOKE. 24
CHAPTER III. ARRIVAL AT MANILLA.--FIRST DAY ON SHORE. 37
CHAPTER IV. AN EVENING PROMENADE.--VILLAGE LIFE NEAR MANILLA. 48
CHAPTER V. AN EXCURSION TO THE INTERIOR.--BUFFALOES AND
AGRICULTURE. 58
CHAPTER VI. HUNTING IN LUZON.--CROCODILES AND GREAT SNAKES. 71
CHAPTER VII. HUNTING THE DEER AND WILD BOAR.--RESULTS OF THE
CHASE. 83
CHAPTER VIII. SHOOTING BATS AND IGUANAS.--VISITING THE HOT
SPRINGS. 94
CHAPTER IX. AN EXCURSION AMONG THE MOUNTAINS.--RETURN TO
MANILLA.--AN EARTHQUAKE. 104
CHAPTER X. FROM MANILLA TO SINGAPORE, AND UP THE STRAITS OF
MALACCA.--A DAY AT PULO PENANG. 121
CHAPTER XI. SHOOTING-STARS AND THEIR CHARACTER.--A REMARKABLE
VOYAGE. 133
CHAPTER XII. FIRST DAY IN BURMAH.--THE GOLDEN PAGODA. 145
CHAPTER XIII. A VOYAGE UP THE IRRAWADDY.--SCENES ON THE GREAT
RIVER. 156
CHAPTER XIV. UP THE IRRAWADDY.--MANDALAY.--AUDIENCE WITH THE
KING OF BURMAH. 170
CHAPTER XV. LEAVING BURMAH.--CAPTURING A SEA-SNAKE.--STORIES
OF THE SEA-SERPENT. 182
CHAPTER XVI. ARRIVAL IN CEYLON.--CINGALESE BOATS.--PRECIOUS
STONES OF THE EAST. 195
CHAPTER XVII. SIGHTS IN POINT DE GALLE.--OVERLAND TO COLOMBO. 207
CHAPTER XVIII. SIGHTS IN COLOMBO.--RAILWAY JOURNEY TO KANDY. 219
CHAPTER XIX. AROUND KANDY.--BOTANICAL GARDENS AND COFFEE
PLANTATIONS.--ADVENTURES WITH SNAKES. 230
CHAPTER XX. TRAVELLING IN CEYLON.--ENCOUNTER WITH A
BUFFALO.--FROM KANDY TO NEWERA-ELLIA. 245
CHAPTER XXI. SCENERY AT NEWERA-ELLIA.--ASCENT OF ADAM'S PEAK. 257
CHAPTER XXII. FROM CEYLON TO INDIA.--A MARINE ENTERTAINMENT.--THE
STORY OF ROBINSON CRUSOE. 269
CHAPTER XXIII. SIGHTS IN PONDICHERRY.--THE FRENCH EAST
INDIES.--VOYAGE TO MADRAS. 282
CHAPTER XXIV. SIGHTS AND SCENES IN MADRAS.--THE INDIAN FAMINE. 293
CHAPTER XXV. FROM MADRAS TO CALCUTTA.--THE TEMPLE AND CAR OF
JUGGERNAUT. 306
CHAPTER XXVI. SIGHTS AND SCENES IN CALCUTTA. 322
CHAPTER XXVII. CALCUTTA, CONTINUED.--DEPARTURE FOR BENARES. 337
CHAPTER XXVIII. NORTHWARD BY RAIL.--OPIUM CULTURE.--ARRIVAL AT
BENARES. 348
CHAPTER XXIX. SIGHTS IN BENARES.--THE MONKEY
TEMPLE.--SARNATH.--BUDDHISM. 359
CHAPTER XXX. BENARES TO LUCKNOW.--SIGHTS IN THE CAPITAL OF
OUDE.--THE RELIEF OF LUCKNOW. 373
CHAPTER XXXI. LUCKNOW TO CAWNPORE AND AGRA.--TAJ MAHAL AND
FUTTEHPOOR SIKRA. 390
CHAPTER XXXII. IN AND AROUND DELHI.--DEPARTURE FOR SIMLA AND THE
HIMALAYAS. 406
CHAPTER XXXIII. FROM UMBALLAH TO SIMLA.--EXCURSION AMONG THE
HIMALAYAS. 419
CHAPTER XXXIV. HUNTING-SCENES IN INDIA.--PURSUIT OF THE TIGER ON
FOOT AND WITH ELEPHANTS. 431
CHAPTER XXXV. FROM SIMLA TO ALLAHABAD AND BOMBAY.--A GREAT
HINDOO FESTIVAL.--CASTES. 443
CHAPTER XXXVI. A SHORT HISTORY OF INDIA.--THE SEPOY
MUTINY.--PRESENT CONDITION OF THE ARMY IN
INDIA. 457