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

CHIENG RUNG AND SIPSAWNG PANNA 355
on Monday forenoon, after a two hours' ride.
An officer
met us at the gate, and showed us to the sala.
When the Chao Mawm heard of our arrival, he sent
for us, meeting us at the door. We had a very interesting
interview, but he was not inclined to talk on
the subject of religion. He told me that the city and
district had been entirely depopulated in 1809 by a
force from Chiengmai, when " nothing was left behind
but the ground." ^ It had recovered itself, however,
and its population was now larger than that of Lampun.
With Nan Suwan I visited the market and the
Court. At the latter place I learned that the British
Commissioner would arrive the next day. Knowing
that everything would be in confusion, we decided to
move on the next morning.
From this point on, our elephant was everywhere an
object of great interest. Sometimes the people climbed
trees to get a better view of him. A long day's march
brought us to Mftang Yu, picturesquely situated on
high blufifs, with deep gorges running down to the Me
Lui. Here we remained only overnight, leaving early
the next morning for Muang Lui, which we reached
about noon. That evening we had a large attendance
at worship, the governor and officials remaining till
after eleven o'clock. The original population of both
these districts, as well as that of Muang Yawng, are
now scattered throughout the provinces of Chiengmai
and Lampiin.
1 This incident is a striking illustration of the methods of warfare
in those days. The expedition in question was directed against the
Burmese, who had established themselves in Muang Yang some
sixty miles or more to the north-west. On its way it passed through
Muang Yawng, where it was loyally received. But being defeated
at Muang Yang, it fell back upon Muang Yawng, and there gathered
up all the inhabitants and swept them off to Chiengmai to prevent
their falling into the hands of the enemy!—Ed.