TOURING IN SIAM.
In the cool season in Siam, or in the months of
December and January, the missionaries frequently
go in boats into the country, to be absent
two, three, or four weeks at a time, and as there
are no hotels in Siam they live in their boats day
and night. These boats have a snug little house
in the centre, about seven by five and a half feet,
and are propelled by six boatmen, who use long
oars and stand behind them when rowing. They
are paid about twenty cents a day, and their rice
is given them. The missionaries take with them
hundreds of religious books and tracts in the
Siamese language, which they distribute as they
travel from village to village, preaching and giving
instruction to all who will listen.
Perhaps you will be interested in an account of one of these mission tours taken by Dr. House and myself.
One fine December morning, after seeing our books, clothing, bedding, provisions, dishes, cooking utensils, and even our table, all snugly stowed away in the little boat, we left our quiet home in Bangkok, the capital city.
