country! they employ no attornies, solicitors, or proctors, and every dispute is decided at one hearing.  This kingdom maintains 1,700,000 soldiers, 400,000 of which are horse, and has 6000 elephants.  On account of their prodigious number, the emperor assumes the title of Lord of the Elephants, his revenue exceeding 20 millions.  There are some remnants of Christianity among these people, as they believe in the blessed Trinity, and make the sign of the cross when they sneeze.

Such was the great empire of Calaminam to which the king of the Birmans[25], sent his ambassador.  On his return, the king sent 150,000 men in 1300 boats against the city of Sabadii, 130 leagues distant to the north-east.  The general of this army, named Chaunigrem, lost many of his men in several assaults, after which he raised two mounts whence he did much harm to the city:  But the besieged sallying out, killed at one time 8000 and at another 5000 of his men.  Leaving this siege for a time and the affairs of the king of the Birmans, we purpose to relate what was done at Siam, in order to treat of them both together.

[Footnote 25:  Formerly this was attributed to the king of Siam:  But the whole story of this section is so incredible and absurd as not to merit any observations.  It is merely retained from De Faria, as an instance of the fables of Fernand Mendez de Pinto.—­E.]

The king of Chiammay, after destroying 30,000 men that had guarded the frontiers, besieged the city of Guitivam belonging to the king of Siam, who immediately drew together an army of 500,000 men, in which was a body of 120 Portuguese in which he placed great reliance.  This vast multitude was conveyed along the river in 3000 boats, while 4000 elephants and 200 pieces of cannon were sent by land.  He found the enemy had 300,000 men and 2000 boats.  The king of Siam gave the command of his vast army to three generals, two of whom were Turks, and the third was Dominic Seixas a Portuguese.  At first the Siamese were worsted, but recovering their order they gained a complete victory, in which 130,000 of the enemy were slain, 40,000 of whom were excellent cavalry, with the loss of 50,000 Siamese, all of whom were the worst troops in their army.  After this victory the king of Siam marched against the queen of Guibem, who had allowed the enemy to pass through her country; and entering the city of Fumbacar spared neither age nor sex.  Being besieged in her capital of Guirar, the queen agreed to pay an yearly tribute of 60,000 ducats, and gave her son as an hostage.  After this the king of Siam advanced to the city of Taysiram, to which place he thought the king of Chiammay had fled, destroying every thing in his course with fire and sword, only sparing the women; but winter coming on he returned to Siam.