should be
launched, even as he had done for many years. When the ruler visited him
one eventful night he declared that the turbid waters would be at their
full on the morrow, and so the command to them to cease rising could
then safely be given.

"Accordingly the royal barge was launched, amid the cries of the people,
whereupon the ruler soon entered it and, fanned by a female slave, leant
back upon the sumptuous cushions under a canopy of crimson silk, while
by his side was the chief bonze--Yu Chan. Near the ruler was the
grey-bearded Klan Hua, with an evil smile upon his face as he saw his
rival resting on the cushions in the place which he had hoped so long to
fill.

"Out into the middle of the swollen river the royal barge went; then
half way between bank and bank the rhythmic music of the oars as they
dipped together into the water ceased, and the rowers rested. From his
seat Yu Chan arose, and uttered in the priestly tongue the words which
laid a spell upon the stream and bade it cease to rise. Scarcely had he
done so and sunk back again upon the cushions when Klan Hua threw
himself at the monarch's feet and petitioned to utter a few words to
him. The ruler raised the bonze, and bade him speak. Holding one hand
aloft, the plotting Klan Hua pointed with the other towards the
astonished Yu Chan, as he fiercely cried:--

"'Thou false-tongued traitor, thou hast insulted thy monarch to his
face!'

"The ruler bent forward from his cushions and looked in surprise from
the accuser to the accused.

"'Speak!' he cried to Klan Hua; 'make good thy unseemly charge, or, old
as thou art, thy head shall roll from thy shoulders!'

"'Great Ruler of Siam and Lord of the White Elephant,' exclaimed the
accuser, giving the monarch his strange but august title, 'I declare to
thee that the chief bonze has doomed the country to destruction. Taking
advantage of the language in which the exorcism is pronounced, he has
done what never the greatest prince under thee would dare to do. This
man, the head of our order, has spoken words which will make the people
scorn thee and this ceremony, if his command comes to pass. Yu Chan, the
traitor, has bidden the waters _to rise_!'

"The monarch crimsoned with anger, as he turned to Yu Chan, who had
already regained his composure, and sat with crossed arms, smiling
scornfully at his accuser, and then asked:--

"'Hast thou so misused thy power? Speak!'

"'How can'st thou doubt me, knowing m