第5章

ThesecuriousfactswouldindicatethatBancamayhaveexistedasadistinctislandevenlongerthanSumatraandBorneo，andtherearesomegeologicalandgeographicalfactswhichrenderthisnotsoimprobableasitwouldatfirstseemtobe。AlthoughonthemapBancaappearssoclosetoSumatra，thisdoesnotarisefromitshavingbeenrecentlyseparatedfromit；fortheadjacentdistrictofPalembangisnewland，beingagreatalluvialswampformedbytorrentsfromthemountainsahundredmilesdistant。

Banca，ontheotherhand，agreeswithMalacca，Singapore，andtheinterveningislandofLingen，inbeingformedofgraniteandlaterite；andthesehaveallmostlikelyonceformedanextensionoftheMalaypeninsula。AstheriversofBorneoandSumatrahavebeenforagesfillinguptheinterveningsea，wemaybesurethatitsdepthhasrecentlybeengreater，anditisveryprobablethatthoselargeislandswereneverdirectlyconnectedwitheachotherexceptthroughtheMalaypeninsula。AtthatperiodthesamespeciesofsquirrelandPittamayhaveinhabitedallthesecountries；butwhenthesubterraneandisturbancesoccurredwhichledtotheelevationofthevolcanoesofSumatra，thesmallislandofBancamayhavebeenseparatedfirst，anditsproductionsbeingthusisolatedmightbegraduallymodifiedbeforetheseparationofthelargerislandshadbeencompleted。

AsthesouthernpartofSumatraextendedeastwardandformedthenarrowstraitsofBanca，manybirdsandinsectsandsomeMammaliawouldcrossfromonetotheother，andthusproduceageneralsimilarityofproductions，whileafewoftheolderinhabitantsremained，torevealbytheirdistinctforms，theirdifferentorigin。Unlesswesupposesomesuchchangesinphysicalgeographytohaveoccurred，thepresenceofpeculiarspeciesofbirdsandmammalsinsuchanislandasBancaisahopelesspuzzle；andI

thinkIhaveshownthatthechangesrequiredarebynomeanssoimprobableasamereglanceatthemapwouldleadustosuppose。

ForournextexampleletustakethegreatislandsofSumatraandJava。Theseapproachsocloselytogether，andthechainofvolcanoesthatrunsthroughthemgivessuchanairofunitytothetwo，thattheideaoftheirhavingbeenrecentlydisseveredisimmediatelysuggested。ThenativesofJava，however，gofurtherthanthis；fortheyactuallyhaveatraditionofthecatastrophewhichbrokethemasunder，andfixitsdateatnotmuchmorethanathousandyearsago。Itbecomesinteresting，therefore，toseewhatsupportisgiventothisviewbythecomparisonoftheiranimalproductions。

TheMammaliahavenotbeencollectedwithsufficientcompletenessinbothislandstomakeageneralcomparisonofmuchvalue，andsomanyspecieshavebeenobtainedonlyaslivespecimensincaptivity，thattheirlocalityhasoftenbeenerroneouslygiven，theislandinwhichtheywereobtainedbeingsubstitutedforthatfromwhichtheyoriginallycame。Takingintoconsiderationonlythosewhosedistributionismoreaccuratelyknown，welearnthatSumatrais，inazoologicalsense，moreneatlyrelatedtoBorneothanitistoJava。Thegreatman-likeapes，theelephant，thetapir，andtheMalaybear，areallcommontothetwoformercountries，whiletheyareabsentfromthelatter。Ofthethreelong-tailedmonkeys(Semnopithecus)inhabitingSumatra，oneextendsintoBorneo，butthetwospeciesofJavaarebothpeculiartoit。SoalsothegreatMalaydeer(Rusaequina)，andthesmallTraguluskanchil，arecommontoSumatraandBorneo，butdonotextendintoJava，wheretheyarereplacedbyTragulasjavanicus。Thetiger，itistrue，isfoundinSumatraandJava，butnotinBorneo。Butasthisanimalisknowntoswimwell，itmayhavefounditswayacrosstheStraitsofSunda，oritmayhaveinhabitedJavabeforeitwasseparatedfromthemainland，andfromsomeunknowncausehaveceasedtoexistinBorneo。

InOrnithologythereisalittleuncertaintyowingtothebirdsofJavaandSumatrabeingmuchbetterknownthanthoseofBorneo；

buttheancientseparationofJavaasanislandiswellexhibitedbythelargenumberofitsspecieswhicharenotfoundinanyoftheotherislands。Itpossessesnolessthansevenpigeonspeculiartoitself，whileSumatrahasonlyone。OfitstwoparrotsoneextendsintoBorneo，butneitherintoSumatra。OfthefifteenspeciesofwoodpeckersinhabitingSumatraonlyfourreachJava，whileeightofthemarefoundinBorneoandtwelveintheMalaypeninsula。ThetwoTrogonsfoundinJavaarepeculiartoit，whileofthoseinhabitingSumatraatleasttwoextendtoMalaccaandonetoBorneo。Thereareaverylargenumberofbirds，suchasthegreatArguspheasant，thefire-backedandocellatedpheasants，thecrestedpartridge(Rolluluscoronatus)，thesmallMalaccaparrot(Psittinusincertus)，thegreathelmetedhornbill(Buceroturusgaleatus)，thepheasantground-cuckoo(Carpococcyxradiatus)，therose-crestedbee-eater(Nyctiornisamicta)，thegreatgaper(Corydonsumatranus)，andthegreen-

crestedgaper(Calyptomenaviridis)，andmanyothers，whicharecommontoMalacca，Sumatra，andBorneo，butareentirelyabsentfromJava。Ontheotherhandwehavethepeacock，thegreenjunglecock，twobluegroundthrushes(ArrengacyaneaandMyophonusflavirostris)，thefinepink-headeddove(Ptilonopusporphyreus)，threebroad-tailedgroundpigeons(Macropygia)，andmanyotherinterestingbirds，whicharefoundnowhereintheArchipelagooutofJava。

Insectsfurnishuswithsimilarfactswhereversufficientdataaretobehad，butowingtotheabundantcollectionsthathavebeenmadeinJava，anunfairpreponderancemaybegiventothatisland。Thisdoesnot，however，seemtobethecasewiththetruePapilionidaeorswallow-tailedbutterflies，whoselargesizeandgorgeouscolouringhasledtotheirbeingcollectedmorefrequentlythanotherinsects。Twenty-sevenspeciesareknownfromJava，twenty-ninefromBorneo，andonlytwenty-onefromSumatra。FourareentirelyconfinedtoJava，whileonlytwoarepeculiartoBorneoandonetoSumatra。TheisolationofJavawill，however，bebestshownbygroupingtheislandsinpairs，andindicatingthenumberofspeciescommontoeachpair。Thus：——

Borneo……29speciesSumatra……21do。20speciescommontobothislands。

Borneo……29do。

Java……27do。20do。do。

Sumatra……21do。

Java……27do。11do。do。

MakingsomeallowanceforourimperfectknowledgeoftheSumatranspecies，weseethatJavaismoreisolatedfromthetwolargerislandsthantheyarefromeachother，thusentirelyconfirmingtheresultsgivenbythedistributionofbirdsandMammalia，andrenderingitalmostcertainthatthelast-namedislandwasthefirsttobecompletelyseparatedfromtheAsiaticcontinent，andthatthenativetraditionofitshavingbeenrecentlyseparatedfromSumatraisentirelywithoutfoundation。

Wearenowabletotraceoutwithsomeprobabilitythecourseofevents。BeginningatthetimewhenthewholeoftheJavasea，theGulfofSiam，andtheStraitsofMalaccaweredryland，formingwithBorneo，Sumatra，andJava，avastsouthernprolongationoftheAsiaticcontinent，thefirstmovementwouldbethesinkingdownoftheJavasea，andtheStraitsofSunda，consequentontheactivityoftheJavanesevolcanoesalongthesouthernextremityoftheland，andleadingtothecompleteseparationofthatisland。AsthevolcanicbeltofJavaandSumatraincreasedinactivity，moreandmoreofthelandwassubmerged，untilfirstBorneo，andafterwardsSumatra，becameentirelysevered。Sincetheepochofthefirstdisturbance，severaldistinctelevationsanddepressionsmayhavetakenplace，andtheislandsmayhavebeenmorethanoncejoinedwitheachotherorwiththemainland，andagainseparated。Successivewavesofimmigrationmaythushavemodifiedtheiranimalproductions，andledtothoseanomaliesindistributionwhicharesodifficulttoaccountforbyanysingleoperationofelevationorsubmergence。TheformofBorneo，consistingofradiatingmountainchainswithinterveningbroadalluvialvalleys，suggeststheideathatithasoncebeenmuchmoresubmergedthanitisatpresent(whenitwouldhavesomewhatresembledCelebesorGiloloinoutline)，andhasbeenincreasedtoitspresentdimensionsbythefillingupofitsgulfswithsedimentarymatter，assistedbygradualelevationoftheland。Sumatrahasalsobeenevidentlymuchincreasedinsizebytheformationofalluvialplainsalongitsnortheasterncoasts。

ThereisonepeculiarityintheproductionsofJavathatisverypuzzling：——theoccurrenceofseveralspeciesorgroupscharacteristicoftheSiamesecountriesorofIndia，butwhichdonotoccurinBorneoorSumatra。AmongMammalstheRhinocerosjavanicusisthemoststrikingexample，foradistinctspeciesisfoundinBorneoandSumatra，whiletheJavanesespeciesoccursinBurmaandeveninBengal。Amongbirds，thesmallground-dove，Geopeliastriata，andthecuriousbronze-colouredmagpie，Crypsirhinavarians，arecommontoJavaandSiam；whilethereareinJavaspeciesofPteruthius，Arrenga，Myiophonus，Zoothera，Sturnopastor，andEstrelda，thenearalliesofwhicharefoundinvariouspartsofIndia，whilenothinglikethemisknowntoinhabitBorneoorSumatra。

Suchacuriousphenomenonasthiscanonlybeunderstoodbysupposingthat，subsequenttotheseparationofJava，Borneobecamealmostentirelysubmerged，andonitsre-elevationwasforatimeconnectedwiththeMalaypeninsulaandSumatra，butnotwithJavaorSiam。Anygeologistwhoknowshowstratahavebeencontortedandtiltedup，andhowelevationsanddepressionsmustoftenhaveoccurredalternately，notonceortwiceonly，butscoresandevenhundredsoftimes，willhavenodifficultyinadmittingthatsuchchangesashavebeenhereindicated，arenotinthemselvesimprobable。Theexistenceofextensivecoal-bedsinBorneoandSumatra，ofsuchrecentoriginthattheleaveswhichaboundintheirshalesarescarcelydistinguishablefromthoseoftheforestswhichnowcoverthecountry，provesthatsuchchangesoflevelactuallydidtakeplace；anditisamatterofmuchinterest，bothtothegeologistandtothephilosophicnaturalist，tobeabletoformsomeconceptionoftheorderofthosechanges，andtounderstandhowtheymayhaveresultedintheactualdistributionofanimallifeinthesecountries；adistributionwhichoftenpresentsphenomenasostrangeandcontradictory，thatwithouttakingsuchchangesintoconsiderationweareunableeventoimaginehowtheycouldhavebeenbroughtabout。

CHAPTERX。

BALIANDLOMBOCK。

(JUNE，JULY，1856。)

THEislandsofBaliandLombock，situatedattheeasternendofJava，areparticularlyinteresting。TheyaretheonlyislandsofthewholeArchipelagoinwhichtheHindureligionstillmaintainsitself——andtheyformtheextremepointsofthetwogreatzoologicaldivisionsoftheEasternhemisphere；foralthoughsosimilarinexternalappearanceandinallphysicalfeatures，theydiffergreatlyintheirnaturalproductions。ItwasafterhavingspenttwoyearsinBorneo，MalaccaandSingapore，thatImadeasomewhatinvoluntaryvisittotheseislandsonmywaytoMacassar。HadIbeenabletoobtainapassagedirecttothatplacefromSingapore，Ishouldprobablyneverhavegonenearthem，andshouldhavemissedsomeofthemostimportantdiscoveriesofmywholeexpeditiontheEast。

Itwasonthe13thofJune，1856，afteratwentydays\'passagefromSingaporeinthe"KembangDjepoon"(RoseofJapan)，aschoonerbelongingtoaChinesemerchant，mannedbyaJavanesecrew，andcommandedbyanEnglishcaptain，thatwecastanchorinthedangerousroadsteadofBilelingonthenorthsideoftheislandofBali。GoingonshorewiththecaptainandtheChinesesupercargo，Iwasatonceintroducedtoanovelandinterestingscene。WewentfirsttothehouseoftheChineseBandar，orchiefmerchant，wherewefoundanumberofnatives，welldressed，andallconspicuouslyarmedwithkrisses，displayingtheirlargehandlesofivoryorgold，orbeautifullygrainedandpolishedwood。

TheChinamenhadgivenuptheirnationalcostumeandadoptedtheMalaydress，andcouldthenhardlybedistinguishedfromthenativesoftheisland——anindicationofthecloseaffinityoftheMalayanandMongolianraces。Underthethickshadeofsomemango-

treesclosebythehouse，severalwomen-merchantsweresellingcottongoods；forherethewomentradeandworkforthebenefitoftheirhusbands，acustomwhichMahometanMalaysneveradopt。

Fruit，tea，cakes，andsweetmeatswerebroughttous；manyquestionswereaskedaboutourbusinessandthestateoftradeinSingapore，andwethentookawalktolookatthevillage。Itwasaverydullanddrearyplace；acollectionofnarrowlanesboundedbyhighmudwalls，enclosingbamboohouses，intosomeofwhichweenteredandwereverykindlyreceived。

Duringthetwodaysthatweremainedhere，Iwalkedoutintothesurroundingcountrytocatchinsects，shootbirds，andspyoutthenakednessorfertilityoftheland。Iwasbothastonishedanddelighted；forasmyvisittoJavawassomeyearslater，IhadneverbeheldsobeautifulandwellcultivatedadistrictoutofEurope。Aslightlyundulatingplainextendsfromtheseacoastabouttenortwelvemilesinland，whereitisboundedbyawiderangeofwoodedandcultivatedhills。Housesandvillages，markedoutbydenseclumpsofcocoa-nutpalms，tamarindandotherfruittrees，aredottedaboutineverydirection；whilebetweenthenextendluxuriantrice-grounds，wateredbyanelaboratesystemofirrigationthatwouldbetheprideofthebestcultivatedpartsofEurope。Thewholesurfaceofthecountryisdividedintoirregularpatches，followingtheundulationsoftheground，frommanyacrestoafewperchesinextent，eachofwhichisitselfperfectlylevel，butstandsafewinchesorseveralfeetaboveorbelowthoseadjacenttoit。Everyoneofthesepatchescanbefloodedordrainedatwillbymeansofasystemofditchesandsmallchannels，intowhicharedivertedthewholeofthestreamsthatdescendfromthemountains。Everypatchnowborecropsinvariousstagesofgrowth，somealmostreadyforcutting，andallinthemostflourishingconditionandofthemostexquisitegreentints。

ThesidesofthelanesandbridleroadswereoftenedgedwithpricklyCactiandaleaflessEuphorbia，butthecountrybeingsohighlycultivatedtherewasnotmuchroomforindigenousvegetation，exceptuponthesea-beach。WesawplentyofthefineraceofdomesticcattledescendedfromtheBosbantengofJava，drivenbyhalfnakedboys，ortetheredinpasture-grounds。Theyarelargeandhandsomeanimals，ofalightbrowncolour，withwhitelegs，andaconspicuousovalpatchbehindofthesamecolour。Wildcattleofthesameracearesaidtobestillfoundinthemountains。Insowell-cultivatedacountryitwasnottobeexpectedthatIcoulddomuchinnaturalhistory，andmyignoranceofhowimportantalocalitythiswasfortheelucidationofthegeographicaldistributionofanimals，causedmetoneglectobtainingsomespecimenswhichInevermetwithagain。Oneofthesewasaweaverbirdwithabrightyellowhead，whichbuiltitsbottle-shapednestsbydozensonsometreesnearthebeach。ItwasthePloceushypoxantha，anativeofJava；andhere，attheextremelimitsofitsrangewesterly，Ishotandpreservedspecimensofawagtail-thrush，anoriole，andsomestarlings，allspeciesfoundinJava，andsomeofthempeculiartothatisland。Ialsoobtainedsomebeautifulbutterflies，richlymarkedwithblackandorangeonawhiteground，andwhichwerethemostabundantinsectsinthecountrylanes。Amongthesewasanewspecies，whichIhavenamedPieristamar。

LeavingBileling，apleasantsailoftwodaysbroughtustoAmpanamintheislandofLombock，whereIproposedtoremaintillIcouldobtainapassagetoMacassar。WeenjoyedsuperbviewsofthetwinvolcanoesofBaliandLombock，eachabouteightthousandfeethigh，whichformmagnificentobjectsatsunriseandsunset，whentheyriseoutofthemistsandcloudsthatsurroundtheirbases，glowingwiththerichandchangingtintsofthesethemostcharmingmomentsinatropicalday。

ThebayorroadsteadofAmpanamisextensive，andbeingatthisseasonshelteredfromtheprevalentsoutheasterlywinds，wasassmoothasalake。Thebeachofblackvolcanicsandisverysteep，andthereisatalltimes，aheavysurfuponit，whichduringspring-tidesincreasestosuchanextentthatitisoftenimpossibleforboatstoland，andmanyseriousaccidentshaveoccurred。Wherewelayanchored，aboutaquarterofamilefromtheshore，nottheslightestswellwasperceptible，butonapproachingnearerundulationsbegan，whichrapidlyincreased，soastoformrollerswhichtoppledoverontothebeachatregularintervalswithanoiselikethunder。Sometimesthissurfincreasessuddenlyduringperfectcalmstoasgreataforceandfuryaswhenagaleofwindisblowing，beatingtopiecesallboatsthatmaynothavebeenhauledsufficientlyhighuponthebeach，andcarryingawayuncautiousnatives。ThisviolentsurfisprobablyinsomewaydependentupontheswellofthegreatsouthernoceanandtheviolentcurrentsthatflowthroughtheStraitsofLombock。Thesearesouncertainthatvesselspreparingtoanchorinthebayaresometimessuddenlysweptawayintothestraits，andarenotabletogetbackagainforafortnight。

Whatseamencallthe"ripples"arealsoveryviolentinthestraits，theseaappearingtoboilandfoamanddanceliketherapidsbelowacataract；vesselsaresweptabouthelplessly，andsmallonesareoccasionallyswampedinthefinestweatherandunderthebrightestskies。

Ifeltconsiderablyrelievedwhenallmyboxesandmyselfhadpassedinsafetythroughthedevouringsurf，whichthenativeslookuponwithsomepride，saying，that"theirseaisalwayshungry，andeatsupeverythingitcancatch。"IwaskindlyreceivedbyMr。Carter，anEnglishman，whoisoneoftheBandarsorlicensedtradersoftheport，whoofferedmehospitalityandeveryassistanceduringmystay。Hishouse，storehouses，andofficeswereinayardsurroundedbyatallbamboofence，andwereentirelyconstructedofbamboowithathatchofgrass，theonlyavailablebuildingmaterials。Eventhesewerenowveryscarce，owingtothegreatconsumptioninrebuildingtheplacesincethegreatfiresomemonthsbefore，whichinanhourortwohaddestroyedeverybuildinginthetown。

ThenextdayIwenttoseeMr。S。，anothermerchanttowhomIhadbroughtlettersofintroduction，andwholivedaboutsevenmilesoff。Mr。Carterkindlylentmeahorse，andIwasaccompaniedbyayoungDutchgentlemanresidingatAmpanam，whoofferedtobemyguide。Wefirstpassedthroughthetownandsuburbsalongastraightroadborderedbymudwallsandafineavenueofloftytrees；thenthroughrice-fields，irrigatedinthesamemannerasIhadseenthematBileling；andafterwardsoversandypasturesnearthesea，andoccasionallyalongthebeachitself。Mr。S。

receiveduskindly，andofferedmearesidenceathishouseshouldIthinktheneighbourhoodfavourableformypursuits。

Afteranearlybreakfastwewentouttoexplore，takinggunsandinsectnets。Wereachedsomelowhillswhichseemedtoofferthemostfavourableground，passingoverswamps，sandyflatsovergrownwithcoarsesedges，andthroughpasturesandcultivatedgrounds，findinghoweververylittleinthewayofeitherbirdsorinsects。Onourwaywepassedoneortwohumanskeletons，enclosedwithinasmallbamboofence，withtheclothes，pillow，mat，andbetel-boxoftheunfortunateindividual，whohadbeeneithermurderedorexecuted。Returningtothehouse，wefoundaBalinesechiefandhisfollowersonavisit。Thoseofhigherranksatonchairs，theotherssquattedonthefloor。Thechiefverycoollyaskedforbeerandbrandy，andhelpedhimselfandhisfollowers，apparentlymoreoutofcuriositythananythingelseasregardsthebeer，foritseemedverydistastefultothem，whiletheydrankthebrandyintumblerswithmuchrelish。

ReturningtoAmpanam，Idevotedmyselfforsomedaystoshootingthebirdsoftheneighbourhood。Thefinefig-treesoftheavenues，whereamarketwasheld，weretenantedbysuperborioles(Oriolusbroderpii)ofarichorangecolour，andpeculiartothisislandandtheadjacentonesofSumbawaandFlores。AllroundthetownwereabundanceofthecuriousTropidorhynchustimoriensis，alliedtotheFriarbirdofAustralia。Theyareherecalled"Quaich-quaich，"fromtheirstrangeloudvoice，whichseemstorepeatthesewordsinvariousandnotunmelodiousintonations。

Everydayboysweretobeseenwalkingalongtheroadsandbythehedgesandditches，catchingdragonflieswithbirdlime。Theycarryaslenderstick，withafewtwigsattheendwellannointed，sothattheleasttouchcapturestheinsect，whosewingsarepulledoffbeforeitisconsignedtoasmallbasket。Thedragon-

fliesaresoabundantatthetimeofthericefloweringthatthousandsaresooncaughtinthisway。Thebodiesarefriedinoilwithonionsandpreservedshrimps，orsometimesalone，andareconsideredagreatdelicacy。InBorneo，Celebes，andmanyotherislands，thelarvaeofbeesandwaspsareeaten，eitheraliveaspulledoutofthecells，orfriedlikethedragonflies。

IntheMoluccasthegrubsofthepalm-beetles(Calandra)areregularlybroughttomarketinbamboosandsoldforfood；andmanyofthegreathornedLamellicornbeetlesareslightlyroastedontheembersandeatenwhenevermetwith。Thesuperabundanceofinsectlifeisthereforeturnedtosomeaccountbytheseislanders。

Findingthatbirdswerenotverynumerous，andhearingmuchofLabuanTringatthesouthernextremityofthebay，wheretherewassaidtobemuchuncultivatedcountryandplentyofbirdsaswellasdeerandwildpigs，Ideterminedtogotherewithmytwoservants，Ali，theMalayladfromBorneo，andManuel，aPortugueseofMalaccaaccustomedtobird-skinning。Ihiredanativeboatwithoutriggerstotakeuswithoursmallquantityofluggage，onaday\'srowingandtrackingalongtheshorebroughtustotheplace。

IhadanoteofintroductiontoanAmboyneseMalay，andobtainedtheuseofpartofhishousetoliveandworkin。Hisnamewas"InchiDaud"(Mr。David)，andhewasverycivil；buthisaccommodationswerelimited，andhecouldonlyhiremepartofhisreception-room。Thiswasthefrontpartofabamboohouse(reachedbyaladderofaboutsixroundsverywideapart)，andhavingabeautifulviewoverthebay。However，Isoonmadewhatarrangementswerepossible，andthensettowork。Thecountryaroundwasprettyandnoveltome，consistingofabruptvolcanichillsenclosingflatvalleysoropenplains。Thehillswerecoveredwithadensescrubbybushofbamboosandpricklytreesandshrubs，theplainswereadornedwithhundredsofnoblepalm-

trees，andinmanyplaceswithaluxuriantshrubbyvegetation。

Birdswereplentifulandveryinteresting，andInowsawforthefirsttimemanyAustralianformsthatarequiteabsentfromtheislandswestward。Smallwhitecockatooswereabundant，andtheirloudscreams，conspicuouswhitecolour，andprettyyellowcrests，renderedthemaveryimportantfeatureinthelandscape。Thisisthemostwesterlypointontheglobewhereanyofthefamilyaretobefound。SomesmallhoneysuckersofthegenusPtilotis，andthestrangemoundmaker(Megapodiusgouldii)，arealsoherefirstmetwithonthetraveller\'sjourneyeastward。Thelastmentionedbirdrequiresafullernotice。

TheMegapodidaeareasmallfamilyofbirdsfoundonlyinAustraliaandthesurroundingislands，butextendingasfarasthePhilippinesandNorthwestBorneo。Theyarealliedtothegallinaceousbirds，butdifferfromtheseandfromallothersinneversittingupontheireggs，whichtheyburyinsand，earth，orrubbish，andleavetobehatchedbytheheatofthesunorbyfermentation。Theyareallcharacterisedbyverylargefeetandlongcurvedclaws，andmostofthespeciesofMegapodiusrakeandscratchtogetherallkindsofrubbish，deadleaves，sticks，stones，earth，rottenwood，etc。，untiltheyformalargemound，oftensixfeethighandtwelvefeetacross，inthemiddleofwhichtheyburytheireggs。Thenativescantellbytheconditionofthesemoundswhethertheycontaineggsornot；andtheyrobthemwhenevertheycan，asthebrick-redeggs(aslargeasthoseofaswan)areconsideredagreatdelicacy。Anumberofbirdsaresaidtojoininmakingthesemoundsandlaytheireggstogether，sothatsometimesfortyorfiftymaybefound。Themoundsaretobemetwithhereandthereindensethickets，andaregreatpuzzlestostrangers，whocannotunderstandwhocanpossiblyhaveheapedtogethercartloadsofrubbishinsuchout-of-the-wayplaces；andwhentheyinquireofthenativestheyarebutlittlewiser，foritalmostalwaysappearstothemthewildestromancetobetoldthatitisalldonebybirds。ThespeciesfoundinLombockisaboutthesizeofasmallhen，andentirelyofdarkoliveandbrowntints。Itisamiscellaneousfeeder，devouringfallenfruits，earthworms，snails，andcentipedes，butthefleshiswhiteandwell-flavouredwhenproperlycooked。

Thelargegreenpigeonswerestillbettereating，andweremuchmoreplentiful。Thesefinebirds，exceedingourlargesttamepigeonsinsize，aboundedonthepalm-trees，whichnowborehugebunchesoffruits——merehardglobularnuts，aboutaninchindiameter，andcoveredwithadrygreenskinandaverysmallportionofpulp。Lookingatthepigeon\'sbillandhead，itwouldseemimpossiblethatitcouldswallowsuchlargemasses，orthatitcouldobtainanynourishmentfromthem；yetIoftenshotthesebirdswithseveralpalm-fruitsinthecrop，whichgenerallyburstwhentheyfelltotheground。IobtainedhereeightspeciesofKingfishers；amongwhichwasaverybeautifulnewone，namedbyMr。Gould，Halcyonfulgidus。Itwasfoundalwaysinthickets，awayfromwater，andseemedtofeedonsnailsandinsectspickedupfromthegroundafterthemannerofthegreatLaughingJackassofAustralia。Thebeautifullittlevioletandorangespecies(Ceyxrufidorsa)isfoundinsimilarsituations，anddartsrapidlyalonglikeaflameoffire。HerealsoIfirstmetwiththeprettyAustralianBee-eater(Meropsornatus)。Thiselegantlittlebirdsitsontwigsinopenplaces，gazingeagerlyaround，anddartingoffatintervalstoseizesomeinsectwhichitseesflyingnear；returningafterwardstothesametwigtoswallowit。

Itslong，sharp，curvedbill，thetwolongnarrowfeathersinitstail，itsbeautifulgreenplumagevariedwithrichbrownandblackandvividblueonthethroat，renderitoneofthemostgracefulandinterestingobjectsanaturalistcanseeforthefirsttime。

OfallthebirdsofLombock，however，Isoughtmostafterthebeautifulgroundthrushes(Pittaconcinna)，andalwaysthoughtmyselfluckyifIobtainedone。Theywerefoundonlyinthedryplainsdenselycoveredwiththickets，andcarpetedatthisseasonwithdeadleaves。Theyweresoshythatitwasverydifficulttogetashotatthem，anditwasonlyafteragooddealofpracticethatIdiscoveredlowtodoit。Thehabitofthesebirdsistohopaboutontheground，pickingupinsects，andontheleastalarmtorunintothedensestthicketortakeaflightclosetotheground。Atintervalstheyutterapeculiarcryoftwonoteswhichwhenonceheardiseasilyrecognised，andtheycanalsobeheardhoppingalongamongthedryleaves。

Mypracticewas，therefore，towalkcautiouslyalongthenarrowpathwayswithwhichthecountryabounded，andondetectinganysignofaPitta\'svicinitytostandmotionlessandgiveagentlewhistleoccasionally，imitatingthenotesasnearaspossible。Afterhalfanhour\'swaitingIwasoftenrewardedbyseeingtheprettybirdhoppingalonginthethicket。ThenIwouldperhapslosesightofitagain，untilleavingmygunraisedandreadyforashot，asecondglimpsewouldenablemetosecuremyprize，andadmireitssoftpuffyplumageandlovelycolours。Theupperpartisrichsoftgreen，theheadjetblackwithastripeofblueandbrownovereacheye；atthebaseofthetailandontheshouldersarebandsofbrightsilveryblue；theundersideisdelicatebuffwithastripeofrichcrimson，borderedwithblackonthebelly。

Beautifulgrass-greendoves，littlecrimsonandblackflower-

peckers，largeblackcuckoos，metallicking-crows，goldenorioles，andthefinejungle-cocks——theoriginofallourdomesticbreedsofpoultry——wereamongthebirdsthatchieflyattractedmyattentionduringourstayatLabuanTring。

Themostcharacteristicfeatureofthejunglewasitsthorniness。

Theshrubswerethorny；thecreeperswerethorny；thebamboosevenwerethorny。Everythinggrewzigzagandjagged，andinaninextricabletangle，sothattogetthroughthebushwithgunornetorevenspectacles，wasgenerallynottobedone，andinsect-

catchinginsuchlocalitieswasoutofthequestion。ItwasinsuchplacesthatthePittasoftenlurked，andwhenshotitbecameamatterofsomedifficultytosecurethebird，andseldomwithoutaheavypaymentofpricksandscratchesandtornclothescouldtheprizebewon。Thedryvolcanicsoilandaridclimateseemfavourabletotheproductionofsuchstuntedandthornyvegetation，forthenativesassuredmethatthiswasnothingtothethornsandpricklesofSumbawawhosesurfacestillbearsthecoveringofvolcanicashesthrownoutfortyyearsagobytheterribleeruptionofTomboro。

AmongtheshrubsandtreesthatarenotpricklytheApocynaceaeweremostabundant，theirbilobedfruitsofvariedformandcolourandoftenofmosttemptingappearance，hangingeverywherebythewaysidesasiftoinvitetodestructionthewearytravellerwhomaybeunawareoftheirpoisonousproperties。OneinparticularwithasmoothshiningskinofagoldenorangecolourrivalsinappearancethegoldenapplesoftheHesperides，andhasgreatattractionsformanybirds，fromthewhitecockatoostothelittleyellowZosterops，whofeastonthecrimsonseedswhicharedisplayedwhenthefruitburstsopen。Thegreatpalmcalled"Gubbong"bythenatives，aspeciesofCorypha，isthemoststrikingfeatureoftheplains，whereitgrowsbythousandsandappearsinthreedifferentstates——inleaf，inflowerandfruit，ordead。Ithasaloftycylindricalstemaboutahundredfeethighandtwotothreefeetindiameter；theleavesarelargeandfan-shaped，andfalloffwhenthetreeflowers，whichitdoesonlyonceinitslifeinahugeterminalspike，uponwhichareproducedmassesofasmoothroundfruitofagreencolourrindaboutaninchindiameter。

Whenthoseripenandfallthetreedies，andremainsstandingayearortwobeforeitfalls。Treesinleafonlyarebyfarthemostnumerous，thenthoseinflowerandfruit，whiledeadtreesarescatteredhereandthereamongthem。Thetreesinfruitaretheresortofthegreatgreenfruitpigeons，whichhavebeenalreadymentioned。Troopsofmonkeys(Macacuscynoraolgus)mayoftenbeseenoccupyingatree，showeringdownthefruitingreatprofusion，chatteringwhendisturbedandmakinganenormousrustlingastheyscamperoffamongthedeadpalmleaves；whilethepigeonshavealoudboomingvoicemoreliketheroarofawildbeastthanthenoteofabird。

Mycollectingoperationsherewerecarriedonundermorethanusualdifficulties。Onesmallroomhadtoserveforeating，sleepingandworking，andoneforstorehouseanddissecting-room；

initwerenoshelves，cupboards，chairsortables；antsswarmedineverypartofit，anddogs，catsandfowlsentereditatpleasure。

Besidesthisitwastheparlourandreception-roomofmyhost，andIwasobligedtoconsulthisconvenienceandthatofthenumerousguestswhovisitedus。Myprincipalpieceoffurniturewasabox，whichservedmeasadiningtable，aseatwhileskinningbirds，andasthereceptacleofthebirdswhenskinnedanddried。

Tokeepthemfreefromantsweborrowed，withsomedifficulty，anoldbench，thefourlegsofwhichbeingplacedincocoa-nutshellsfilledwithwaterkeptustolerablyfreefromthesepests。Theboxandthebenchwere，however，literallytheonlyplaceswhereanythingcouldbeputaway，andtheyweregenerallywelloccupiedbytwoinsectboxesandaboutahundredbirds\'skinsinprocessofdrying。Itmaythereforebeeasilyconceivedthatwhenanythingbulkyoroutofthecommonwaywascollected，thequestion"Whereisittobeput？"wasratheradifficultonetoanswer。Allanimalsubstancesmoreoverrequiresometimetodrythoroughly，emitaverydisagreeableodourwhiledoingso，andareparticularlyattractivetoants，flies，dogs，rats，cats，andothervermin，callingforspecialcautionsandconstantsupervision，whichunderthecircumstancesabovedescribedwereimpossible。

Myreadersmaynowpartiallyunderstandwhyatravellingnaturalistoflimitedmeans，likemyself，doessomuchlessthanisexpectedorthanhewouldhimselfwishtodo。Itwouldbeinterestingtopreserveskeletonsofmanybirdsandanimals，reptilesandfishesinspirits，skinsofthelargeranimals，remarkablefruitsandwoodsandthemostcuriousarticlesofmanufactureandcommerce；butitwillbeseenthatunderthecircumstancesIhavejustdescribed，itwouldhavebeenimpossibletoaddthesetothecollectionswhichweremyownmoreespecialfavourites。Whentravellingbyboatthedifficultiesareasgreatorgreater，andtheyarenotdiminishedwhenthejourneyisbyland。ItwasabsolutelynecessarythereforetolimitmycollectionstocertaingroupstowhichIcoulddevoteconstantpersonalattention，andthussecurefromdestructionordecaywhathadbeenoftenobtainedbymuchlabourandpains。

WhileManuelsatskinninghisbirdsofanafternoon，generallysurroundedbyalittlecrowdofMalaysandSassaks(astheindigenesofLombockaretermed)，heoftenheldforthtothemwiththeairofateacher，andwaslistenedtowithprofoundattention。Hewasveryfondofdiscoursingonthe"specialprovidences"ofwhichhebelievedhewasdailythesubject。

"Allahhasbeenmercifultoday，"hewouldsay——foralthoughaChristianheadoptedtheMahometanmodeofspeech-"andhasgivenussomeveryfinebirds；wecandonothingwithouthim。"ThenoneoftheMalayswouldreply，"Tobesure，birdsarelikemankind；

theyhavetheirappointedtimetodie；whenthattimecomesnothingcansavethem，andifithasnotcomeyoucannotkillthem。"Amurmurofassentfollow，untilsentimentsandcriesof"Butul！Butul！"(Right，right。)ThenManuelwouldtellalongstoryofoneofhisunsuccessfulhunts——howhesawsomefinebirdandfolloweditalongway，andthenmissedit，andagainfoundit，andshottwoorthreetimesatit，butcouldneverhitit，"Ah！"saysanoldMalay，"itstimewasnotcome，andsoitwasimpossibleforyoutokillit。"Adoctrineisthiswhichisveryconsolingtothebadmarksman，andwhichquiteaccountsforthefacts，butwhichisyetsomehownotaltogethersatisfactory。

ItisuniversallybelievedinLombockthatsomemenhavethepowertoturnthemselvesintocrocodiles，whichtheydoforthesakeofdevouringtheirenemies，andmanystrangetalesaretoldofsuchtransformations。Iwasthereforerathersurprisedoneeveningtohearthefollowingcuriousfactstated，andasitwasnotcontradictedbyanyofthepersonspresent，IaminclinedtoacceptitprovisionallyasacontributiontotheNaturalHistoryoftheisland。ABorneanMalaywhohadbeenformanyyearsresidentheresaidtoManuel，"Onethingisstrangeinthiscountry——thescarcityofghosts。""Howso？"askedManuel。"Why，youknow，"saidtheMalay，"thatinourcountriestothewestward，ifamandiesoriskilled，wedarenotpassneartheplaceatnight，forallsortsofnoisesareheardwhichshowthatghostsareabout。Butheretherearenumbersofmenkilled，andtheirbodieslieunburiedinthefieldsandbytheroadside，andyetyoucanwalkbythematnightandneverhearorseeanythingatall，whichisnotthecaseinourcountry，asyouknowverywell。""CertainlyIdo，"saidManuel；andsoitwassettledthatghostswereveryscarce，ifnotaltogetherunknowninLombock。I

wouldobserve，however，thatastheevidenceispurelynegativeweshouldbewantinginscientificcautionifweacceptedthisfactassufficientlywellestablished。

OneeveningIheardManuel，Ali，andaMalaymanwhisperingearnestlytogetheroutsidethedoor，andcoulddistinguishvariousallusionsto"krisses，"throat-cutting，heads，etc。etc。

AtlengthManuelcamein，lookingverysolemnandfrightened，andsaidtomeinEnglish，"Sir——musttakecare，——nosafehere；——wantcutthroat。"Onfurtherinquiry，IfoundthattheMalayhadbeentellingthemthattheRajahhadjustsentdownanordertothevillage，thattheyweretogetacertainnumberofheadsforanofferinginthetemplestosecureagoodcropofrice。TwoorthreeotherMalaysandBugis，aswellastheAmboynamaninwhosehousewelived，confirmedthisaccount，anddeclaredthatitwasaregularthingeveryyear，andthatitwasnecessarytokeepagoodwatchandnevergooutalone。Ilaughedatthewholething，andtriedtopersuadethemthatitwasameretale，buttonoeffect。Theywereallfirmlypersuadedthattheirliveswereindanger。Manuelwouldnotgooutshootingalone，andIwasobligedtoaccompanyhimeverymorning，butIsoongavehimtheslipinthejungle。Aliwasafraidtogoandlookforfirewoodwithoutacompanion，andwouldnotevenfetchwaterfromthewellafewyardsbehindthehouseunlessarmedwithanenormousspear。Iwasquitesureallthetimethatnosuchorderhadbeensentorreceived，andthatwewereinperfectsafety。Thiswaswellshownshortlyafterwards，whenanAmericansailorranawayfromhisshipontheeastsideoftheisland，andmadehiswayonfootandunarmedacrosstoAmpanam，havingmetwiththegreatesthospitalityonthewholeroute。Nowherewouldthesmallestpaymentbetakenforthefoodandlodgingwhichwerewillinglyfurbishedhim。OnpointingoutthisfacttoManuel，hereplied，"Heonebadman，——runawayfromhisship——noonecanbelievewordhesay；"andsoIwasobligedtoleavehimintheuncomfortablepersuasionthathemightanydayhavehisthroatcut。

AcircumstanceoccurredherewhichappearedtothrowsomelightonthecauseofthetremendoussurfatAmpanam。OneeveningI

heardastrangerumblingnoise，andatthesametimethehouseshookslightly。Thinkingitmightbethunder，Iasked，"Whatisthat？""Itisanearthquake，"answeredInchiDaud，myhost；andhethentoldmethatslightshockswereoccasionallyfeltthere，buthehadneverknownthemtobesevere。Thishappenedonthedayofthelastquarterofthemoon，andconsequentlywhentideswerelowandthesurfusuallyatitsweakest。OninquiryafterwardsatAmpanam，I

foundthatnoearthquakehadbeennoticed，butthatononenighttherehadbeenaveryheavysurf，whichshookthehouse，andthenextdaytherewasaveryhightide，thewaterhavingfloodedMr。Carter\'spremises，higherthanhehadeverknownitbefore。Theseunusualtidesoccureverynowandthen，andarenotthoughtmuchof；butbycarefulinquiryIascertainedthatthesurfhadoccurredontheverynightIhadfelttheearthquakeatLabuanTring，nearlytwentymilesoff。Thiswouldseemtoindicate，thatalthoughtheordinaryheavysurfmaybeduetotheswellofthegreatSouthernOceanconfinedinanarrowchannel，combinedwithapeculiarformofbottomneartheshore，yetthesuddenheavysurfsandhightidesthatoccuroccasionallyinperfectlycalmweather，maybeduetoslightupheavalsoftheocean-bedinthiseminentlyvolcanicregion。

CHAPTERXI。

LOMBOCK：MANNERSANDCUSTOMSOFTHEPEOPLE。

HAVINGmadeaveryfineandinterestingcollectionofthebirdsofLabuanTring，Itookleaveofmykindhost，InchiDaud，andreturnedtoAmpanamtoawaitanopportunitytoreachMacassar。Asnovesselhadarrivedboundforthatport，Ideterminedtomakeanexcursionintotheinterioroftheisland，accompaniedbyMr。

Ross，anEnglishmanbornintheKeelingIslands，andnowemployedbytheDutchGovernmenttosettletheaffairsofamissionarywhohadunfortunatelybecomebankrupthere。Mr。Carterkindlylentmeahorse，andMr。Rosstookhisnativegroom。

Ourrouteforsomedistancelayalongaperfectlylevelcountrybearingamplecropsofrice。Theroadwasstraightandgenerallyborderedwithloftytreesformingadueavenue。Itwasatfirstsandy，afterwardsgrassy，withoccasionalstreamsandmudholes。

AtadistanceaboutfourmileswereachedMataram，thecapitaloftheislandandtheresidenceoftheRajah。Itisalargevillagewithwidestreetsborderedbyamagnificentavenueoftrees，andlowhousesconcealedbehindmudwalls。Withinthisroyalcitynonativeofthelowerordersisallowedtoride，andourattendant，aJavanese，wasobligedtodismountandleadhishorsewhilewerodeslowlythrough。TheabodesoftheRajahandoftheHighPriestaredistinguishedbypillarsofredbrickconstructedwithmuchtaste；butthepalaceitselfseemedtodifferbutlittlefromtheordinaryhousesofthecountry。BeyondMataramandclosetoitisKarangassam，theancientresidenceofthenativeorSassakRajahsbeforetheconquestoftheislandbytheBalinese。

SoonafterpassingMataramthecountrybegangraduallytoriseingentleundulations，swellingoccasionallyintolowhillstowardsthetwomountainoustractsinthenorthernandsouthernpartsoftheisland。ItwasnowthatIfirstobtainedanadequateideaofoneofthemostwonderfulsystemsofcultivationintheworld，equallingallthatisrelatedofChineseindustry，andasfarasIknowsurpassinginthelabourthathasbeenbestoweduponitanytractofequalextentinthemostcivilizedcountriesofEurope。Irodethroughthisstrangegardenutterlyamazedandhardlyabletorealizethefactthatinthisremoteandlittleknownisland，fromwhichallEuropeansexceptafewtradersattheportarejealouslyexcluded，manyhundredsofsquaremilesofirregularlyundulatingcountryhavebeensoskillfullyterracedandlevelled，andsopermeatedbyartificialchannels，thateveryportionofitcanbeirrigatedanddriedatpleasure。Accordingastheslopeofthegroundismoreorlessrapid，eachterracedplotconsistsinsomeplacesofmanyacres，inothersofafewsquareyards。Wesawthemineverystateofcultivation；someinstubble，somebeingploughed，somewithrice-cropsinvariousstagesofgrowth。Herewereluxuriantpatchesoftobacco；there，cucumbers，sweetpotatoes，yams，beansorIndian-cornvariedthescene。Insomeplacestheditchesweredry，inotherslittlestreamscrossedourroadandweredistributedoverlandsabouttobesownorplanted。Thebankswhichborderedeveryterraceroseregularlyinhorizontallinesaboveeachother；sometimesroundinganabruptknollandlookinglikeafortification，orsweepingaroundsomedeephollowandformingonagiganticscaletheseatsofanamphitheatre。Everybrookandrivulethadbeendivertedfromitsbed，andinsteadofflowingalongthelowestground，weretobefoundcrossingourroadhalf-wayupanascent，yetborderedbyancienttreesandmoss-grownstonessoastohavealltheappearanceofanaturalchannel，andbearingtestimonytotheremoteperiodatwhichtheworkhadbeendone。Asweadvancedfurtherintothecountry，thescenewasdiversifiedbyabruptrockybills，bysteepravines，andbyclumpsofbamboosandpalm-

treesnearhousesorvillages；whileinthedistancethefinerangeofmountainsofwhichLombockPeak，eightthousandfeethigh，istheculminatingpoint，formedafitbackgroundtoaviewscarcelytobesurpassedeitherinhumaninterestorpicturesquebeauty。

Alongthefirstpartofourroadwepassedhundredsofwomencarryingrice，fruit，andvegetablestomarket；andfurtheron，analmostuninterruptedlineofhorsesladenwithriceinbagsorinthecar，ontheirwaytotheportofAmpanam。Ateveryfewmilesalongtheroad，seatedundershadytreesorslightsheds，weresellersofsugar-cane，palm-wine，cookedrice，saltedeggs，andfriedplantains，withafewothernativedelicacies。Atthesestallsaheartymealmaybemadeforapenny，butwecontentedourselveswithdrinkingsomesweetpalm-wine，amostdeliciousbeverageintheheatoftheday。Afterhavingtravelledabouttwentymileswereachedahigheranddrierregion，where，waterbeingscarce，cultivationwasconfinedtothelittlefiatsborderingthestreams。Herethecountrywasasbeautifulasbefore，butofadifferentcharacter；consistingofundulatingdownsofshortturfinterspersedwithfineclumpsoftreesandbushes，sometimesthewoodland，sometimestheopengroundpredominating。Weonlypassedthroughonesmallpatchoftrueforest，wherewewereshadedbyloftytrees，andsawaroundusadarkanddensevegetation，highlyagreeableaftertheheatandglareoftheopencountry。

Atlength，aboutanhourafternoon，wereachedourdestination——

thevillageofCoupang，situatednearlyinthecentreoftheisland——andenteredtheoutercourtofahousebelongingtooneofthechiefswithwhommyfriendMr。Rosshadaslightacquaintance。

Herewewererequestedtoseatourselvesunderanopendenwitharaisedfloorofbamboo，aplaceusedtoreceivevisitorsandholdaudiences。Turningourhorsestograzeontheluxuriantglassofthecourtyard，wewaiteduntilthegreatman\'sMalayinterpreterappeared，whoinquiredourbusinessandinformedusthatthePumbuckle(chief)wasattheRajah\'shouse，butwouldsoonbeback。Aswehadnotyetbreakfasted，webeggedhewouldgetussomethingtoeat，whichbepromisedtodoassoonaspossible。Itwashoweverabouttwohoursbeforeanythingappeared，whenasmalltraywasbroughtcontainingtwosaucersofrice，foursmallfriedfish，andafewvegetables。Havingmadeasgoodabreakfastaswecould，westrolledaboutthevillage，andreturning，amusedourselvesbyconversationwithanumberofmenandboyswhogatheredaroundus；andbyexchangingglancesandsmileswithanumberofwomenandgirlswhopeepedatusthroughhalf-openeddoorsandothercrevices。TwolittleboysnamedMousaandIsa(MosesandJesus)weregreatfriendswithus，andanimpudentlittlerascalcalledKachang(abean)madeusalllaughbyhismimicryandantics。

Atlength，aboutfouro\'clock，thePumbucklemadehisappearance，andweinformedhimofourdesiretostaywithhimafewdays，toshootbirdsandseethecountry。Atthisheseemedsomewhatdisturbed，andaskedifwehadbroughtaletterfromtheAnakAgong(SonofHeaven)whichisthetitleoftheRajahofLombock。

Thiswehadnotdone，thinkingitquiteunnecessary；andhethenabruptlytoldusthathemustgoandspeaktohisRajah，toseeifwecouldstay。Hourspassedaway，nightcame，andhedidnotreturn。Ibegantothinkweweresuspectedofsomeevildesigns，forthePumbucklewasevidentlyafraidofgettinghimselfintotrouble。HeisaSassakprince，and，thoughasupporterofthepresentRajah，isrelatedtosomeoftheheadsofaconspiracywhichwasquelledafewyearssince。

Aboutfiveo\'clockapack-horsebearingmygunsandclothesarrived，withmymenAliandManuel，whohadcomeonfoot。Thesunset，anditsoonbecamedark，andwegotratherhungryaswesatwearilyundertheshedandnoonecame。Stillhourafterhourwewaited，untilaboutnineo\'clock，thePumbuckle，theRajah，somepriests，andanumberoftheirfollowersarrivedandtooktheirseatsaroundus。Weshookhands，andforsomeminutestherewasadeadsilence。ThentheRajahaskedwhatwewanted；towhichMr。Rossrepliedbyendeavouringtomakethemunderstandwhowewere，andwhywehadcome，andthatwehadnosinisterintentionswhatever；andthatwehadnotbroughtaletterfromthe"AnakAgong，"merelybecausewehadthoughtitquiteunnecessary。A

longconversationintheBalilanguagethentookplace，andquestionswereaskedaboutmyguns，andwhatpowderIhad，andwhetherIusedshotorbullets；alsowhatthebirdswerefor，andhowIpreservedthem，andwhatwasdonewiththeminEngland。

Eachofmyanswersandexplanationswasfollowedbyalowandseriousconversationwhichwecouldnotunderstand，butthepurportofwhichwecouldguess。Theywereevidentlyquitepuzzled，anddidnotbelieveawordwehadtoldthem。TheytheninquiredifwewerereallyEnglish，andnotDutch；andalthoughwestronglyassertedournationality，theydidnotseemtobelieveus。

Afteraboutanhour，however，theybroughtussomesupper(whichwasthesameasthebreakfast，butwithoutthefish)，andafteritsomeveryweakcoffeeandpumpkinsboiledwithsugar。Havingdiscussedthis，asecondconferencetookplace；questionswereagainasked，andtheanswersagaincommentedon。Betweenwhileslightertopicswerediscussed。Myspectacles(concaveglasses)

weretriedinsuccessionbythreeorfouroldmen，whocouldnotmakeoutwhytheycouldnotseethroughthem，andthefactnodoubtwasanotheritemofsuspicionagainstme。Mybeard，too，wasthesubjectofsomeadmiration，andmanyquestionswereaskedaboutpersonalpeculiaritieswhichitisnotthecustomtoalludetoinEuropeansociety。Atlength，aboutoneinthemorning，thewholepartyrosetodepart，and，afterconversingsometimeatthegate，allwentaway。Wenowbeggedtheinterpreter，whowithafewboysandmenremainedaboutus，toshowusaplacetosleepin，atwhichheseemedverymuchsurprised，sayinghethoughtwewereverywellaccommodatedwherewewere。Itwasquitechilly，andwewereverythinlycladandhadbroughtnoblankets，butallwecouldgetafteranotherhour\'stalkwasanativematandpillow，andafewoldcurtainstohangroundthreesidesoftheopenshedandprotectusalittlefromthecoldbreeze。Wepassedtherestofthenightveryuncomfortably，anddeterminedtoreturninthemorningandnotsubmitanylongertosuchshabbytreatment。

Weroseatdaybreak，butitwasnearanhourbeforetheinterpretermadehisappearance。WethenaskedtohavesomecoffeeandtoseethePumbuckle，aswewantedahorseforAli，whowaslame，andwishedtobidhimadieu。Themanlookedpuzzledatsuchunheard——ofdemandsandvanishedintotheinnercourt，lockingthedoorbehindhimandleavingusagaintoourmeditations。Anhourpassedandnoonecame，soIorderedthehorsestobesaddledandthepack-horsetobeloaded，andpreparedtostart。Justthentheinterpretercameuponhorseback，andlookedaghastatourpreparations。"WhereisthePumbuckle？"weasked。"GonetotheRajah\'s，"saidhe。"Wearegoing，"saidI。"Oh！praydon\'t，"saidhe；"waitalittle；theyarehavingaconsultation，andsomepriestsarecomingtoseeyou，andachiefisgoingofftoMataramtoaskthepermissionoftheAnakAgongforyoutostay。"Thissettledthematter。Moretalk，moredelay，andanothereightortenhours\'consultationwerenottobeendured；sowestartedatonce，thepoorinterpreteralmostweepingatourobstinacyandhurry，andassuringus"thePumbucklewouldbeverysorry，andtheRajahwouldbeverysorry，andifwewouldbutwaitallwouldberight。"IgaveAlimyhorse，andstartedonfoot，butheafterwardsmountedbehindMr。Ross\'sgroom，andwegothomeverywell，thoughratherhotandtired。

AtMataramwecalledatthehouseofGustiGadioca，oneoftheprincesofLombock，whowasafriendofMr。Carter\'s，andwhohadpromisedtoshowmethegunsmadebynativeworkmen。Twogunswereexhibited，onesix，theothersevenfeetlong，andofaproportionablylargebore。Thebarrelsweretwistedandwellfinished，thoughnotsofinelyworkedasours。Thestockwaswellmade，andextendedtotheendofthebarrel。Silverandgoldornamentwasinlaidovermostofthesurface，butthelocksweretakenfromEnglishmuskets。TheGustiassuredme，however，thattheRajahhadamanwhomadelocksandalsorifledbarrels。Theworkshopwherethesegunsaremadeandthetoolsusedwerenextshownus，andwereveryremarkable。Anopenshedwithacoupleofsmallmudforgeswerethechiefobjectsvisible。Thebellowsconsistedoftwobamboocylinders，withpistonsworkedbyhand。

Theymoveveryeasily，havingaloosestuffingoffeathersthicklysetroundthepistonsoastoactasavalve，andproducearegularblast。Bothcylinderscommunicatewiththesamenozzle，onepistonrisingwhiletheotherfalls。Anoblongpieceofirononthegroundwastheanvil，andasmallvicewasfixedontheprojectingrootofatreeoutside。These，withafewfilesandhammers，wereliterallytheonlytoolswithwhichanoldmanmakesthesefineguns，finishingthenhimselffromtheroughironandwood。

Iwasanxioustoknowhowtheyboredtheselongbarrels，whichseemedperfectlytrueandaresaidtoshootadmirably；and，onaskingtheGusti，receivedtheenigmaticalanswer："Weuseabasketfullofstones。"Beingutterlyunabletoimaginewhathecouldmean，IaskedifIcouldseehowtheydidit，andoneofthedozenlittleboysarounduswassenttofetchthebasket。Hesoonreturnedwiththismostextraordinaryboring-machine，themodeofusingwhichtheGustithenexplainedtome。Itwassimplyastrongbamboobasket，throughthebottomofwhichwasstuckuprightapoleaboutthreefeetlong，keptinitsplacebyafewstickstiedacrossthetopwithrattans。

Thebottomofthepolehasanironring，andaholeinwhichfour-corneredborersofhardenedironcanbefitted。Thebarreltobeboredisburieduprightintheground，theborerisinsertedintoit，thetopofthestickorverticalshaftisheldbyacross-pieceofbamboowithaholeinit，andthebasketisfilledwithstonestogettherequiredweight。Twoboysturnthebambooround。Thebarrelsaremadeinpiecesofabouteighteenincheslong，whicharefirstboredsmall，andthenweldedtogetheruponastraightironrod。Thewholebarrelisthenworkedwithborersofgraduallyincreasingsize，andinthreedaystheboringisfinished。ThewholematterwasexplainedinsuchastraightforwardmannerthatIhavenodoubttheprocessdescribedtomewasthatactuallyused；although，whenexaminingoneofthehandsome，well-finished，andserviceableguns，itwasveryhardtorealizethefactthattheyhadbeenmadefromfirsttolastwithtoolshardlysufficientforanEnglishblacksmithtomakeahorseshoe。

Thedayafterwereturnedfromourexcursion，theRajahcametoAmpanamtoafeastgivenbyGustiGadioca，whoresidesthere；andsoonafterhisarrivalwewenttohaveanaudience。Wefoundhiminalargecourtyardsittingonamatunderashadytree；andallhisfollowers，tothenumberofthreeorfourhundred，squattingonthegroundinalargecircleroundhim。HeworeasarongorMalaypetticoatandagreenjacket。Hewasamanaboutthirty-

fiveyearsofage，andofapleasingcountenance，withsomeappearanceofintellectcombinedwithindecision。Webowed，andtookourseatsonthegroundnearsomechiefswewereacquaintedwith，forwhiletheRajahsitsnoonecanstandorsithigher。HejustinquiredwhoIwas，andwhatIwasdoinginLombock，andthenrequestedtoseesomeofmybirds。Iaccordinglysentforoneofmyboxesofbird-skinsandoneofinsects，whichheexaminedcarefully，andseemedmuchsurprisedthattheycouldbesowellpreserved。WethenhadalittleconversationaboutEuropeandtheRussianwar，inwhichallnativestakeaninterest。

Havingheardmuchofacountry-seatoftheRajah\'scalledGunongSari，Itooktheopportunitytoaskpermissiontovisititandshootafewbirdstherewhichheimmediatelygranted。Ithenthankedhim，andwetookourleave。

Anhourafter，hissoncametovisitMr。Carteraccompaniedbyaboutahundredfollowers，whoallsatonthegroundwhilehecameintotheopenshedwhereManuelwasskinningbirds。Aftersometimehewentintothehouse，hadabedarrangedtosleepalittle，thendranksomewine，andafteranhourortwohaddinnerbroughthimfromtheGusti\'shouse，whichheatewitheightoftheprincipalpriestsandprinces，hepronouncedablessingoverthericeandcommencedeatingfirst，afterwhichtherestfellto。Theyrolledupballsofriceintheirhands，dippedtheminthegravyandswallowedthemrapidly，withlittlepiecesofmeatandfowlcookedinavarietyofways。AboyfannedtheyoungRajahwhileeating。Hewasayouthofaboutfifteen，andhadalreadythreewives。Allworethekris，orMalaycrookeddagger，onthebeautyandvalueofwhichtheygreatlypridethemselves。A

companionoftheRajah\'shadonewithagoldenhandle，inwhichweresettwenty-eightdiamondsandseveralotherjewels。Hesaidithadcosthim￡700。Thesheathsareofornamentalwoodandivory，oftencoveredononesidewithgold。Thebladesarebeautifullyveinedwithwhitemetalworkedintotheiron，andtheyarekeptverycarefully。Everymanwithoutexceptioncarriesakris，stuckbehindintothelargewaist-clothwhichallwear，anditisgenerallythemostvaluablepieceofpropertyhepossesses。

Afewdaysafterwardsourlong-talked-ofexcursiontoGunongSaritookplace。OurpartywasincreasedbythecaptainandsupercargoofaHamburgshiploadingwithriceforChina。WeweremountedonaverymiscellaneouslotofLombockponies，whichwehadsomedifficultyinsupplyingwiththenecessarysaddles，etc。；andmostofushadtopatchupourgirths，bridles，orstirrup-leathersasbestwecould。WepassedthroughMataram，wherewewerejoinedbyourfriendGustiGadioca，mountedonahandsomeblackhorse，andridingasallthenativesdo，withoutsaddleorstirrups，usingonlyahandsomesaddleclothandveryornamentalbridle。

Aboutthreemilesfurther，alongpleasantbyways，broughtustotheplace。WeenteredthrougharatherhandsomebrickgatewaysupportedbyhideousHindudeitiesinstone。Withinwasanenclosurewithtwosquarefish-pondsandsomefinetrees；thenanothergatewaythroughwhichweenteredintoapark。Ontherightwasabrickhouse，builtsomewhatintheHindustyle，andplacedonahighterraceorplatform；ontheleftalargefish-

pond，suppliedbyalittlerivuletwhichentereditoutofthemouthofagiganticcrocodilewellexecutedinbrickandstone。

Theedgesofthepondwerebricked，andinthecentreroseafantasticandpicturesquepavilionornamentedwithgrotesquestatues。Thepondwaswellstockedwithfinefish，whichcomeeverymorningtobefedatthesoundofawoodengongwhichishungnearforthepurpose。Onstrikingitanumberoffishimmediatelycameoutofthemassesofweedwithwhichthepondabounds，andfollowedusalongthemarginexpectingfood。Atthesametimesomedeercameoutofasadjacentwood，which，frombeingseldomshotatandregularlyfed，arealmosttame。Thejungleandwoodswhichsurroundedtheparkappearingtoaboundinbirds，Iwenttoshootafew，andwasrewardedbygettingseveralspecimensofthefinenewkingfisher，Halcyonfulgidus，andthecuriousandhandsomegroundthrush，Zootheraandromeda。Theformerbeliesitsnamebynotfrequentingwaterorfeedingonfish。Itlivesconstantlyinlowdampthicketspickingupgroundinsects，centipedes，andsmallmollusca。AltogetherIwasmuchpleasedwithmyvisittothisplace，anditgavemeahigheropinionthanIhadbeforeentertainedofthetasteofthesepeople，althoughthestyleofthebuildingsandofthesculptureisverymuchinferiortothoseofthemagnificentruinsinJava。

Imustnowsayafewwordsaboutthecharacter，manners，andcustomsoftheseinterestingpeople。

TheaboriginesofLombockaretermedSassaks。TheyareaMalayracehardlydifferinginappearancefromthepeopleofMalaccaorBorneo。TheyareMahometansandformthebulkofthepopulation。

Therulingclasses，ontheotherhand，arenativesoftheadjacentislandofBali，andareoftheBrahminicalreligion。Thegovernmentisanabsolutemonarchy，butitseemstobeconductedwithmorewisdomandmoderationthanisusualinMalaycountries。

ThefatherofthepresentRajahconqueredtheisland，andthepeopleseemnowquitereconciledtotheirnewrulers，whodonotinterferewiththeirreligion，andprobablydonottaxthemanyheavierthandidthenativechiefstheyhavesupplanted。ThelawsnowinforceinLombockareverysevere。Theftispunishedbydeath。Mr。Carterinformedmethatamanoncestoleametalcoffee-potfromhishouse。Hewascaught，thepotrestored，andthemanbroughttoMr。Cartertopunishashethoughtfit。AllthenativesrecommendedMr。Cartertohavehim"krissed"onthespot；"forifyoudon\'t，"saidthey，"hewillrobyouagain。"Mr。

Carter，however，lethimoffwithawarning，thatifheevercameinsidehispremisesagainhewouldcertainlybeshot。AfewmonthsafterwardsthesamemanstoleahorsefromMr。Carter。Thehorsewasrecovered，butthethiefwasnotcaught。Itisanestablishedrule，thatanyonefoundinahouseafterdark，unlesswiththeowner\'sknowledge，maybestabbed，hisbodythrownoutintothestreetoruponthebeach，andnoquestionswillbeasked。

Themenareexceedinglyjealousandverystrictwiththeirwives。

Amarriedwomanmaynotacceptacigarorasirihleaffromastrangerunderpainofdeath。IwasinformedthatsomeyearsagooneoftheEnglishtradershadaBalinesewomanofgoodfamilylivingwithhim——theconnectionbeingconsideredquitehonourablebythenatives。Duringsomefestivalthisgirloffendedagainstthelawbyacceptingaflowerorsomesuchtriflefromanotherman。ThiswasreportedtotheRajah(tosomeofwhosewivesthegirlwasrelated)，andheimmediatelysenttotheEnglishman\'shouseorderinghimtogivethewomanupasshemustbe"krissed。"

Invainhebeggedandprayed，andofferedtopayanyfinetheRajahmightimpose，andfinallyrefusedtogiveherupunlesshewasforcedtodoso。ThistheRajahdidnotwishtoresortto，ashenodoubtthoughthewasactingasmuchfortheEnglishman\'shonourasforhisown；soheappearedtoletthematterdrop。Butsometimeafterwardshesentoneofhisfollowerstothehouse，whobeckonedthegirltothedoor，andthensaying，"TheRajahsendsyouthis，"stabbedhertotheheart。Moreseriousinfidelityispunishedstillmorecruelly，thewomanandherparamourbeingtiedbacktobackandthrownintothesea，wheresomelargecrocodilesarealwaysonthewatchtodevourthebodies。OnesuchexecutiontookplacewhileIwasatAmpanam，butItookalongwalkintothecountrytobeoutofthewayuntilitwasallover，thusmissingtheopportunityofhavingahorriblenarrativetoenlivenmysomewhattediousstory。

Onemorning，asweweresittingatbreakfast，Mr。Carter\'sservantinformedusthattherewasan"Amok"inthevillage——inotherwords，thatamanwas"runningamuck。"Orderswereimmediatelygiventoshutandfastenthegatesofourenclosure；

buthearingnothingforsometime，wewentout，andfoundtherehadbeenafalsealarm，owingtoaslavehavingrunaway，declaringhewould"amok，"becausehismasterwantedtosellhim。

Ashorttimebefore，amanhadbeenkilledatagaming-tablebecause，havinglosthalf-a-dollarmorethanhepossessed，hewasgoingto"amok。"Anotherhadkilledorwoundedseventeenpeoplebeforehecouldbedestroyed。Intheirwarsawholeregimentofthesepeoplewillsometimesagreeto"amok，"andthenrushonwithsuchenergeticdesperationastobeveryformidabletomennotsoexcitedasthemselves。Amongtheancientsthesewouldhavebeenlookeduponasheroesordemigodswhosacrificedthemselvesfortheircountry。Hereitissimplysaid——theymade"amok。"

MacassaristhemostcelebratedplaceintheEastfor"runningamuck。"Therearesaidtobeoneortwoamonthontheaverage，andfive，ten，ortwentypersonsaresometimeskilledorwoundedatoneofthem。Itisthenational，andthereforethehonourable，modeofcommittingsuicideamongthenativesofCelebes，andisthefashionablewayofescapingfromtheirdifficulties。ARomanfelluponhissword，aJapaneseripsuphisstomach，andanEnglishmanblowsouthisbrainswithapistol。TheBugismodehasmanyadvantagestoonesuicidicallyinclined。Amanthinkshimselfwrongedbysociety——heisindebtandcannotpay——heistakenforaslaveorhasgambledawayhiswifeorchildintoslavery——heseesnowayofrecoveringwhathehaslost，andbecomesdesperate。Hewillnotputupwithsuchcruelwrongs，butwillberevengedonmankindanddielikeahero。Hegraspshiskris-handle，andthenextmomentdrawsouttheweaponandstabsamantotheheart。Herunson，withbloodykrisinhishand，stabbingateveryonehemeets。"Amok！Amok！"thenresoundsthroughthestreets。Spears，krisses，knivesandgunsarebroughtoutagainsthim。Herushesmadlyforward，killsallhecan——men，women，andchildren——anddiesoverwhelmedbynumbersamidalltheexcitementofabattle。Andwhatthatexcitementisthosewhohavebeeninonebestknow，butallwhohaveevergivenwaytoviolentpassions，orevenindulgedinviolentandexcitingexercises，mayformaverygoodidea。Itisadeliriousintoxication，atemporarymadnessthatabsorbseverythoughtandeveryenergy。Andcanwewonderatthekris-bearing，untaught，broodingMalaypreferringsuchadeath，lookeduponasalmosthonourabletothecold-bloodeddetailsofsuicide，ifhewishestoescapefromoverwhelmingtroubles，orthemercilessofthehangmanandthedisgraceofapublicexecution，whenhehastakenthelawintohisownhandsandtoohastilyrevengedhimselfuponhisenemy？Ineithercasehechoosesratherto"amok。"

ThegreatstaplesofthetradeofLombockaswellasofBaliarericeandcoffee；theformergrownontheplains，thelatteronthehills。ThericeisexportedverylargelytootherislandsoftheArchipelago，toSingapore，andeventoChina，andtherearegenerallyoneormorevesselsloadingintheport。ItisbroughtintoAmpanamonpack-horses，andalmosteverydayastringofthesewouldcomeintoMr。Carter\'syard。TheonlymoneythenativeswilltakefortheirriceisChinesecoppercash，twelvehundredofwhichgotoadollar。Everymorningtwolargesacksofthismoneyhadtobecountedoutintoconvenientsumsforpayment。FromBaliquantitiesofdriedbeefandox-tonguesareexported，andfromLombockagoodmanyducksandponies。Theducksareapeculiarbreed，whichhaveverylongflatbodies，andwalkerectalmostlikepenguins。Theyaregenerallyofapalereddishashcolour，andarekeptinlargeflocks。Theyareverycheapandarelargelyconsumedbythecrewsofthericeships，bywhomtheyarecalledBaly-soldiers，butaremoregenerallyknownelsewhereaspenguin-ducks。

MyPortuguesebird-stufferFernandeznowinsistedonbreakinghisagreementandreturningtoSingapore；partlyfromhomesickness，butmoreIbelievefromtheideathathislifewasnotworthmanymonths\'purchaseamongsuchbloodthirstyanduncivilizedpeoples。

Itwasaconsiderablelosstome，asIhadpaidhimfullthreetimestheusualwagesforthreemonthsinadvance，halfofwhichwasoccupiedinthevoyageandtherestinaplacewhereIcouldhavedonewithouthim，owingtotherebeingsofewinsectsthatI

coulddevotemyowntimetoshootingandskinning。AfewdaysafterFernandezhadleft，asmallschoonercameinboundforMacassar，towhichplaceItookapassage。Asafittingconclusiontomysketchoftheseinterestingislands，IwillnarrateananecdotewhichIheardofthepresentRajah；andwhich，whetheraltogethertrueornot，wellillustratesnativecharacter，andwillserveasameansofintroducingsomedetailsofthemannersandcustomsofthecountrytowhichIhavenotyetalluded。

CHAPTERXII。

L0MBOCK：HOWTHERAJAHTOOKTHECENSUS。

TheRajahofLombockwasaverywisemanandheshowedhiswisdomgreatlyinthewayhetookthecensus。FormyreadersmustknowthatthechiefrevenuesoftheRajahwerederivedfromahead-taxofrice，asmallmeasurebeingpaidannuallybyeveryman，woman，andchildintheisland，Therewasnodoubtthateveryonepaidthistax，foritwasaverylightone，andthelandwasfertileandthepeoplewelloff；butithadtopassthroughmanyhandsbeforeitreachedtheGovernmentstorehouses。WhentheharvestwasoverthevillagersbroughttheirricetotheKapalakampong，orheadofthevillage；andnodoubthesometimeshadcompassionforthepoororsickandpassedovertheirshortmeasure，andsometimeswasobligedtograntafavourtothosewhohadcomplaintsagainsthim；andthenhemustkeepuphisowndignitybyhavinghisgranariesbetterfilledthanhisneighbours，andsothericethathetooktothe"Waidono"thatwasoverhisdistrictwasgenerallygooddeallessthanitshouldhavebeen。Andallthe"Waidonos"hadofcoursetotakecareofthemselves，fortheywereallindebtanditwassoeasytotakealittleoftheGovernmentrice，andtherewouldstillbeplentyfortheRajah。

Andthe"Gustis"orprinceswhoreceivedthericefromtheWaidonoshelpedthemselveslikewise，andsowhentheharvestwasalloverandthericetributewasallbroughtin，thequantitywasfoundtobelesseachyearthantheonebefore。Sicknessinonedistrict，andfeversinanother，andfailureofthecropsinathird，wereofcourseallegedasthecauseofthisfallingoff；butwhentheRajahwenttohuntatthefootofthegreatmountain，orwenttovisita"Gusti"ontheothersideoftheisland，healwayssawthevillagesfullofpeople，alllookingwell-fedandhappy。Andhenoticedthatthekrissesofhischiefsandofficersweregettinghandsomerandhandsomer；andthehandlesthatwereofyellowwoodwerechangedforivory，andthoseofivorywerechangedforgold，anddiamondsandemeraldssparkledonmanyofthem；andheknewverywellwhichwaythetribute-ricewent。Butashecouldnotproveithekeptsilence，andresolvedinhisownheartsomedaytohaveacensustaken，sothathemightknowthenumberofhispeople，andnotbecheatedoutofmorericethanwasjustandreasonable。

Butthedifficultywashowtogetthiscensus。Hecouldnotgohimselfintoeveryvillageandeveryhouse，andcountallthepeople；andifheorderedittobedonebytheregularofficerstheywouldquicklyunderstandwhatitwasfor，andthecensuswouldbesuretoagreeexactlywiththequantityofricehegotlastyear。Itwasevidentthereforethattoanswerhispurposenoonemustsuspectwhythecensuswastaken；andtomakesureofthis，noonemustknowthattherewasanycensustakenatall。

Thiswasaveryhardproblem；andtheRajahthoughtandthought，ashardasaMalayRajahcanbeexpectedtothink，butcouldnotsolveit；andsohewasveryunhappy，anddidnothingbutsmokeandchewbetelwithhisfavouritewife，andeatscarcelyanything；andevenwhenhewenttothecock-fightdidnotseemtocarewhetherhisbestbirdswonorlost。Forseveraldaysheremainedinthissadstate，andallthecourtwereafraidsomeevileyehadbewitchedtheRajah；andanunfortunateIrishcaptainwhohadcomeinforacargoofriceandwhosquinteddreadfully，wasverynearlybeingkrissed，butbeingfirstbroughttotheroyalpresencewasgraciouslyorderedtogoonboardandremaintherewhilehisshipstayedintheport。

Onemorninghowever，afteraboutaweek\'scontinuanceofthisunaccountablemelancholy，awelcomechangetoolplace，fortheRajahsenttocalltogetherallthechiefs，priests，andprinceswhoweretheninMataram，hiscapitalcity；andwhentheywereallassembledinanxiousexpectation，hethusaddressedthem：

"FormanydaysmyhearthasbeenverysickandIknewnotwhy，butnowthetroubleisclearedaway，forIhavehadadream。Lastnightthespiritofthe\'GunongAgong\'——thegreatfiremountain——

appearedtome，andtoldmethatImustgouptothetopofthemountain。Allofyoumaycomewithmetonearthetop，butthenI

mustgoupalone，andthegreatspiritwillagainappeartomeandwilltellmewhatisofgreatimportancetomeandtoyouandtoallthepeopleoftheisland。Nowgoallofyouandmakethisknownthroughtheisland，andleteveryvillagefurnishmentomakecleararoadforustogothroughtheforestandupthegreatmountain。"

SothenewswasspreadoverthewholeislandthattheRajahmustgotomeetthegreatspiritonthetopofthemountain；andeveryvillagesentforthitsmen，andtheyclearedawaythejungleandmadebridgesoverthemountainstreamsandsmoothedtheroughplacesfortheRajah\'spassage。Andwhentheycametothesteepandcraggyrocksofthemountain，theysoughtoutthebestpaths，sometimesalongthebedofatorrent，sometimesalongnarrowledgesoftheblackrocks；inoneplacecuttingdownatalltreesoastobridgeacrossachasm，inanotherconstructingladderstomountthesmoothfaceofaprecipice。Thechiefswhosuperintendedtheworkfixeduponthelengthofeachday\'sjourneybeforehandaccordingtothenatureoftheroad，andchosepleasantplacesbythebanksofclearstreamsandintheneighbourhoodofshadytrees，wheretheybuiltshedsandhutsofbamboowellthatchedwiththeleavesofpalm-trees，inwhichtheRajahandhisattendantsmighteatandsleepatthecloseofeachday。

Andwhenallwasready，theprincesandpriestsandchiefmencameagaintotheRajah，totellhimwhathadbeendoneandtoaskhimwhenhewouldgoupthemountain。Andhefixedaday，andorderedeverymanofrankandauthoritytoaccompanyhim，todohonourtothegreatspiritwhohadbidhimundertakethejourney，andtoshowhowwillinglytheyobeyedhiscommands。Andthentherewasmuchpreparationthroughoutthewholeisland。Thebestcattlewerekilledandthemeatsaltedandsun-dried；andabundanceofredpeppersandsweetpotatoesweregathered；andthetallpinang-treeswereclimbedforthespicybetelnut，thesirih-leafwastiedupinbundles，andeverymanfilledhistobaccopouchandlimeboxtothebrim，sothathemightnotwantanyofthematerialsforchewingtherefreshingbetelduringthejourney。Thestoresofprovisionsweresentonadayinadvance。

Andonthedaybeforethatappointedforstarting，allthechiefsbothgreatandsmallcametoMataram，theabodeoftheking，withtheirhorsesandtheirservants，andthebearersoftheirsirihboxes，andtheirsleeping-mats，andtheirprovisions。AndtheyencampedunderthetallWaringin-treesthatborderalltheroadsaboutMataram，andwithblazingfiresfrightedawaytheghoulsandevilspiritsthatnightlyhauntthegloomyavenues。

InthemorningagreatprocessionwasformedtoconducttheRajahtothemountain。AndtheroyalprincesandrelationsoftheRajahmountedtheirblackhorseswhosetailsswepttheground；theyusednosaddleorstirrups，butsatuponaclothofgaycolours；

thebitswereofsilverandthebridlesofmany-colouredcords。

Thelessimportantpeoplewereonsmallstronghorsesofvariouscolours，wellsuitedtoamountainjourney；andall(eventheRajah)werebare-leggedtoabovetheknee，wearingonlythegaycolouredcottonwaist-cloth，asilkorcottonjacket，andalargehandkerchieftastefullyfoldedaroundthehead。Everyonewasattendedbyoneortwoservantsbearinghissirihandbetelboxes，whowerealsomountedonponies；andgreatnumbersmorehadgoneoninadvanceorwaitedtobringuptherear。Themeninauthoritywerenumberedbyhundredsandtheirfollowersbythousands，andalltheislandwonderedwhatgreatthingwouldcomeofit。

Forthefirsttwodaystheywentalonggoodroadsandthroughmanyvillageswhichweresweptclean，andwherebrightclothswerehungoutatthewindows；andallthepeople，whentheRajahcame，squatteddownuponthegroundinrespect，andeverymanridinggotoffhishorseandsquatteddownalso，andmanyjoinedtheprocessionateveryvillage。Attheplacewheretheystoppedforthenight，thepeoplehadplacedstakesalongeachsideoftheroadsinfrontofthehouses。Theseweresplitcrosswiseatthetop，andinthecleftwerefastenedlittleclaylamps，andbetweenthemwerestuckthegreenleavesofpalm-trees，which，drippingwiththeeveningdew，gleamedprettilywiththemanytwinklinglights。Andfewwenttosleepthatnightuntilthemorninghours，foreveryhouseheldaknotofeagertalkers，andmuchbetel-nutwasconsumed，andendlessweretheconjectureswhatwouldcomeofit。