Page:History of the Indian Archipelago Vol 2.djvu/375

 HISTOKY OF JAVA CONTINUED, 331 I shall give but one other anecdote of this reign, and chiefly because it affords a curious illustration of the female character in the highest rank of life. A similar example has not, indeed, been often af- forded in Java, though there the women claim a de- gree of equality with the stronger sex, not often seen in the east, but frequent instances are afforded of fe- male heroism among the more warlike, ferocious, and uncivilized tribes of Celebes. In the year 1550 of Salivana, (A. D. 16^8,) the Sultan attack- ed Giri, the residence of the spiritual chief of that name, and the descendant of one of the most con- spicuous of the first apostles of Mahomedanism, and subdued it after an obstinate struggle. He was probably induced to diregard the holy charac- ter of this person, from resentment for the advice he had given to the eastern chiefs in their invasion of Mataram. The command of the troops for this enterprise was entrusted to the prince ot Surabaya, now affi- anced to the Sultan by a marriage with his daughter the princess WandanSari, The priest of Giri made a gallant defence, and in one rencontre defeated his adversary, whose fortunes were retrieved by the spirit of his heroic consort. This princess present- ed herself before the troops, accoutered as a war- rior, spoke of the bravery of her ancestors, ha- rangued the soldiers, distributed gifts to them, and put herself at their head. Encouraged by her ex-