A half century among the Siamese and the Lao : an ... - Khamkoo

THE ROYAL COMMISSION 121
But our hourly thoughts were directed to Bangkok.
What would be the outcome of our letters? We were
continually asked what we were going to do. Our reply
was that, of course, we intended to remain. There
was no telegraph then, nor even a monthly mail. It
was not till November 26th that the first news of what
was doing in our behalf reached us. It was brought
by messengers sent on in advance to notify the government
that a Royal Commissioner had arrived in
Lampun, with two foreigners and a train of eighteen
elephants and fifty-three attendants. They were to be
in Chiengmai the next day. No intimation, however,
was given as to what the object of the Commission was.
But plainly it must be a matter of no slight importance.
Early on the morning of the 27th every one was on
the alert. A body of men under the direction of an
officer were scrubbing the old sala next door to us, for
the letter had asked that preparations be made for
the party. A prince whispered in our ears to enquire
whether we knew what the " Ka Luang " was coming
for. But we knew as little as he did. We were so
hopeful, however, that we began to prepare for our
guests, too. The whole place seemed in an attitude of
expectancy. The sudden arrival of a Ka Liiang was
not an everyday occurrence. And then the two foreigners—two
" white kolas "
In the afternoon the curiosity of every one was gratified
by the arrival of the long train with the Commissioner
at its head. The two " white kolas " were none
other than our associates in the Siamese mission, the
Rev. N. A. McDonald, and the Rev. S. C. George.
Were ever guests more welcome! The story was soon
told of the receipt of our letters in Bangkok, and of the