ABSTRACT
ITisabouttwoo'clockinthemorning.We areawakened,butdeliciouslyandscarcely,by asoundofmusic,slow,soft,neverbeforeheard, andofawonderfulstrangeness.Itsounds neithertoofaroffnortoonear-flutes, dulcimers,zithers,and,itwouldseem,too, pealsoflittlebellsandsilvergongsrhythming themelodyinanundertone.Atthesametime webecomeconsciousthatthemusicofthe oarshasceasedandthesampannolonger moves.Here,then,istheendofourjourney bywater,andwearemoored,nodoubt,against thebankreadytodisembarkassoonasthe sunrises.Themusiccontinues,monotonous, repeatingoverandoveragainthesamephrases, whichyetarenotwearisomebutsoothing. Andwesoonfallasleepagain,aftermurmuringtoourselves,inthesemomentsofhalf~ waking:"Good!WehavereachedSiam
atsomevillage...andthereisanocturnal festival...inthepagoda••.inhonourof thelocalgods...."
