THE HOUSE-BOAT
The disappointment caused by the absence of the old hunter was
modified by the interest in the preparations. These filled the two
lads with excitement, for a journey into unknown parts in such a land
as Siam was full of the suggestions of wonders.
The first thing seen to was the choice of a boat, the requirements
being that it should be light, strong, drawing very little water, and
well provided for the accommodation of fourteen or sixteen people,
with a fair amount of room, night and day. Then there would be boxes
containing stores for a week, cooking apparatus, and cases for
containing the specimens of all kinds that were to be saved.
But in a country like Siam, where house-boats are necessities of
domestic daily life, there was little difficulty. One of the plainest
of the King's light barges was found to answer all the requirements
upon being provided with a few bamboo poles and an awning, so that the
forward part of the boat could be sheltered at night and during
storms, for the protection of the men. The central part was covered
in, according to the regular custom, with a bamboo-supported roof, and
matting curtains were so placed at the sides that the whole could be
turned into a comfortable cabin at night, while the after-part had its
matting cover that could be set up or removed at pleasure, this
portion being intended for the after rowers and servants.
Boxes and chests were selected, filled, and placed on board. There
were loops for the guns and spears to be taken, and lockers for the
ammunition, and at last there seemed to be nothing more that could be
done, for the crew were selected by Phra, who had his favourites among
the King's servants, these including men who had never evinced any
dislike to the English and were always eager to attend to the wishes
of their young Prince.
The time had passed so rapidly that it was hard to believe two days
had slipped away before everything could be declared to be in
readiness. But on the second evening nothing more seemed needed, and
it was felt that they might start at daylight the next morning.
For the crew was on board to protect the stores and other things; even
the stone, barrel-shaped filter fitted in a basket cover--a clumsy,
awkward thing which the doctor declared to be absolutely
necessary--was on board.
Harry had exclaimed against its being taken, and the doctor heard him.
"Look here, young fellow," he said, "do you know what I am going up
the river for?"
"A holiday, of course," replied Harry.
"Exactly. Then do you suppose I want my holiday spoiled by being
called upon to attend people who are ill through drinking unwholesome
water?"
"Of course not, sir; but would any one be ill?"
"Every one would," said the doctor angrily.
Harry thought this was a sweeping assertion, but he said nothing, and
the filter was placed astern.
"I wish some one would knock it over," Harry whispered to Phra. "It
would go to the bottom like a stone."
"Never mind the filter."
"I don't," said Harry; "but I do mind about old Sree. Oh, don't I wish
I could have three wishes!"
"What would they be? What's the first?"
"I should have had that," said Harry. "Wishing to have three wishes."
"Well, then, what would the second be?"
"That the third might for certain be had," said Harry, laughing.
"What would the third be?"
"That old Sree would come here to-night."
"You've got your wish, then," cried Phra excitedly, "for here he
comes."
"No! Nonsense!" cried Harry, who felt staggered and ready to turn
superstitious.
"He is here, I tell you. Look, talking to that sentry by the gate."
"I say," said Harry, "isn't it rather queer?"
"It's rather good fortune," replied Phra.
"But after what we said."
Phra laughed.
"Why, you're not going to believe in old fables, are you?"
"No, of course not; but it did seem startling for him to turn up just
as I had been wishing for him."
"Nonsense. Why, I have been wishing for him to come every hour for the
last two days. Let's go and meet him. He's coming this way."
In another minute they had leaped ashore, run up the stone steps of
the landing-place in front of the palace, and encountered Sree.
"Here, I say, where have you been?" cried Harry.
"I have been through the jungle and up towards the head of the little
river, Sahibs, so as to find out whether it is worth your going up
too."
"Well, is it?" cried Harry.
"Oh yes, well worthy," replied Sree. "No one ever goes there to hunt
or shoot, and the birds are very tame and beautiful, and the river
full of fish."
"Fish!" cried Harry excitedly. "There, I knew we had forgotten
something, Phra. Fishing tackle."
"Yes, we must take some."
"I was coming to advise you to get a boat and go up there for two or
three days to shoot, fish, and collect."
"Then you are too late, old Sree," cried Harry.
"Too late, Sahib?" said the man, whose countenance looked gloomy from
disappointment.
"Yes; we're going for a week in that big boat."
"I am sorry, Sahib," said the man sadly. "I worked hard, and it took
long to get through the jungle, and I had to sleep in trees. The
Sahib's servant was not neglectful of his master. He is grieved that
he is too late."
"Don't tease him, Hal; he doesn't like it. It hurts him. Never mind,
Sree; we wanted you to help, but everything is ready now."
"I am glad, Sahib," said the man; "but I am sorry too, for I should
have liked to go as hunter with the young Sahibs."
"Does that mean you can't go?" said Harry, laughing.
"Not unless the young Sahib will take his servant," said the man
sadly.
"Why, of course we shall take you," cried Harry, "and we are as glad
as glad that you have come. Here, let's go to the boat, Phra. I want
Sree to see everything, so as to say whether we ought to take anything
else."
The old hunter brightened up on the instant, and hurried with the boys
to the boat, where for the next hour he was examining arrangements and
suggesting fresh places for some of the articles, so that they might
be stowed where they would be handier and yet more out of the way. He
was able to suggest a few more things too, notably a stout net to hang
by hooks from the roof of the cabin, ready to place specimens in to
dry, or hold odds and ends for common use; more baskets, and a coil of
rope, and a stout parang or two for cutting a way through creepers or
cane-brakes.
At last, with a smile full of content, Sree announced himself as being
satisfied, and having received permission from Phra, took possession
of one corner at the back of the cabin, while Harry went to see the
doctor respecting starting quite early the next morning, and then
returned home.