For answer I swung the boat half round, and we glided out and down the Menam. A boat-load of natives put out behind us; but, instead of following directly after us, they paddled across the river and down the opposite bank. We stretched out in the bottom of the dugout, and, drifting with the current, let them get ahead of us. Far down the stream they landed and ran off into a grove of trees above which rose a white building. I dozed a moment, and then sat up suddenly with a shout. They had come back and were pushing off in the boat again, while behind them came a second canoe bearing six khaki-clothed soldiers armed with muskets. The white building was a military post, and a part of the terrible Siamese army was after us.
“Swing her ashore,” shouted James, grasping his paddle. “No naval battles for me.”
Our dugout ran aground near the bank. Between the jungle and the water’s edge was a narrow open space. Throwing our bundles over our shoulders, we set off down the bank at an easy walk. The “wild men” pulled their boats up on the beach near the dugout, and dashed after us, shouting angrily. When they came near enough, the soldiers drew up in a line and leveled five guns at us. Their sergeant shouted the Siamese words for “Ready! Fire!” An icy chill ran up and down my spine, but we marched steadily on without a pause. They did not fire. When we had gone on a few yards, the troop ran after us and drew up once more in firing line. The sergeant bellowed in very loud tones; but the guns did not go off.
Seven times this move was repeated. We were already a half mile from the landing-place. Suddenly a villager snatched a gun from a soldier, ran close up on our heels, and took a careful aim at us. He looked like a bold, bad man. My flesh crawled, in expectation of the sting of the bullet. I caught myself wondering what part of my body it would puncture. But the fellow merely aimed, and shrieked in anger; he dared not pull the trigger.
Finding that we paid no attention when they attempted to frighten us, the sergeant tried a new plan. One by one, the bare-footed soldiers slipped up behind us and snatched at our packs and jackets. When we turned on them they fell back wild-eyed. They continued to pester us in this way until we lost all patience.
“Tell me when you see the next one trying it,” said James.
Out of a corner of an eve I watched a soldier steal up to my companion and reach for his small bundle.
“Now!” I shouted.
The Australian whirled and caught the trooper’s gun in both hands. The fellow let go of it with a scream, and the whole crowd—sergeant, soldiers, villagers, and bold, bad man—turned tail and fled.
Miles beyond, we met two lone soldiers wandering northward, and, knowing that they would stop at the white building, we made them take the gun with them.