CHAPTER XVI
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.