Page:Journal Of The Indian Archipelago And Eastern Asia Series.i, Vol.3 (IA in.ernet.dli.2015.107696).pdf/414

 constructed expressly for it, no person went into this boat, the corpse was left by itself, and the coffin concealed in such a way that it could not be seen by any one. The journey upon the river then commenced. First was a boat in which were the bonzes mounted upon a stage which ten soldiers supported on their shoulders, and whether they went in a boat or whether they walked, the bonzes were upon this and they prayed, they shouted, eulogising the defunct; but all in a manner ridiculous, even in the eyes of sensible pagans. These poor bonzes were obliged to remain upon the stage during the whole journey, and they were not allowed to descend on any account liowever pressing. Three other boats follow- ed which had also other three stages; upon one was displayed a large piece of white damask fastened upon a wooden frame, and on this damask were written a number of large superstitious characters. This is, according to the pagans, the abode of one of the souls of the defunct. On another stage were rice, fruits and other meats, and upon the last stage were perched certain mountebanks whose duty is to chase away the demons who wished to come and seize the soul of the defunct, or at least vex it in any manner they could. These individuals had their bodies painted different colours, some white, others black, others red, green, blue, violet, brown. They had wooden swords, lances, or other weapons of wood in their hands, some had fire brands. They howled, they sang, danced, made a thousand contortions, shook their wooden arms or fire brands, all with the purpose of frightening the demons. After these barques came the boat which bore the corpse towed by another boat, and after it came the boat of the new king who was alore with his women. His boat was also towed, then came boats bearing the princes and the mandarins: There were also boats in which were soldiers carrying fire brands and torches, besides other boats in which the soldiers had arms, muskets, sabres, and lances. Thus they proceeded on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd day, observing all that has been said above, and scattering throughout a large quantity of gold and silver paper. They slept during the night in the boats. They also eat in the boats.

At last on the 11th, they arrived near the tomb, built in a mountain very near the river. On one side of the mountain an edifice had been built of beautiful stone enclosed by a wall. In this edifice are the apartments which must serve as a prison to the wives of the defunct who have no children. They are perpetually shut up there to guard the sepulchre, and prepare daily the food and the other things of which they think the